North Korean blame game: what’s behind Kim Jong-un’s public sacking of vice-minister

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Park Chan-kyongJanuary 21, 2026 at 04:26 AM

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un publicly dismissed Vice-Minister Yang Sung-ho during an inspection of the Ryongsong Machine Complex, a major industrial zone in the eastern part of the country. The dismissal, reported by state media on Tuesday, occurred during a tour of the modernization project at the complex. Analysts believe Kim's action signals zero tolerance for mismanagement and aims to reinforce his authority ahead of the upcoming 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The move is seen as an attempt to instill discipline and showcase achievements amid economic strain caused by sanctions, pandemic isolation, and military prioritization. Kim's public firing of a senior official, bypassing normal party procedures, is considered rare.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pyongyang 60% Workers’ Party of Korea 70% Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) ×370% Ryongsong Machine Complex ×270% Yang Sung-ho ×280% North Korea 90% Kim Jong-un ×5100%

Keywords

kim jong-un 100% north korea 90% public sacking 80% vice-minister 70% economic strain 60% workers’ party congress 60% mismanagement 50% discipline 50% ryongsong machine complex 40% political purges 40%