North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused South Korea's media of spreading false information regarding the death tolls from recent floods in the country's northwest region. Kim made these remarks during a visit to an air force helicopter unit, where he commended the troops for their efforts in rescuing flood-affected individuals.
Kim dismissed claims by South Korean media that suggested a high number of casualties and helicopter crashes during the emergency response. He labeled these reports as a 'vicious smear campaign' by the South Korean media.
During his visit, Kim emphasized that North Korea views South Korea as an unchangeable enemy and indicated that the North would not compromise its national defense to address disaster recovery or improve living standards. This stance implies that Pyongyang is likely to reject South Korea's offer of aid supplies to assist flood-affected areas near the border with China.
The strained relationship between North and South Korea has been exacerbated by the North's nuclear ambitions and the South's military exercises with the United States and Japan. Previous offers of assistance from South Korea, such as during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2022, have also been rebuffed by North Korea.
North Korean state media reports have highlighted the extensive damage caused by the recent heavy rains, including flooded houses, agricultural fields, and public infrastructure in Sinuiju and Uiju. While specific death toll figures have not been provided, Kim criticized officials for neglecting disaster prevention measures, leading to preventable casualties.
Despite the challenges, Kim praised the air force personnel for their successful rescue missions, noting that no casualties were reported in the Sinuiju area. He also addressed claims of helicopter crashes, stating that only one helicopter made an emergency landing during a rescue operation and that all pilots were safe.
Kim's visit to the helicopter unit aimed to showcase the North's response to the floods and refute what he deemed as misinformation spread by South Korean media.
