North Korea Faces Severe Floods, Kim Jong Un Declares ‘Emergency’

Record-breaking rainfall over the weekend has left thousands stranded by severe flooding in North Korea, prompting leader Kim Jong Un to declare an “emergency,” state media reported. The heavy rain hit Sinuiju city and Uiju county, near the border with China, submerging farmland and homes.

State media indicated that many residents were later rescued by airlift, The disaster exacerbates North Korea’s existing challenges, such as food scarcity and poor infrastructure.

North Korea, typically secretive about internal issues, has been relatively transparent about this disaster. The official newspaper described the situation as a “grave crisis,” though it did not provide casualty figures. Over 4,200 residents were evacuated after more than 10 planes conducted 20 consecutive round-trip flights, according to the report.

Accurate information from North Korea is difficult to obtain, as state media often portrays the country and its leader in a positive light, especially for domestic audiences. Flooding is a common occurrence in North Korea due to seasonal rains and monsoons, and these events threaten to cripple the nation’s already limited agricultural sector, constrained by its mountainous terrain.