North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized the South Korean media for allegedly exaggerating the death tolls from recent floods affecting the country’s northwest region. During a visit to an air force helicopter unit, Kim praised the troops for their efforts in rescuing flood victims, as reported by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency.
Kim disputed reports by South Korean media suggesting that 1,000 to 1,500 North Koreans had perished in the floods and multiple helicopters had crashed during rescue operations, labeling them as a “vicious smear campaign.” He characterized South Korea as an unchangeable enemy and emphasized that North Korea prioritizes national defense over improving disaster recovery or living standards, hinting at rejecting Seoul’s offer of aid.
In response to South Korea’s offer of aid supplies to address the humanitarian challenges in flood-affected areas near the China border, Kim’s rejection was widely anticipated. Tensions between the two countries have escalated due to North Korea’s nuclear aspirations and South Korea’s military cooperation with the United States and Japan to counter the North’s provocations.
Previous offers of assistance from South Korea during North Korea’s battle against a COVID-19 outbreak in 2022 were also turned down. North Korean state media reported severe damage from the heavy rains, including flooding of houses, agricultural fields, public buildings, roads, and railways in Sinuiju and Uiju. While no information on the death toll was provided, Kim blamed officials for neglecting disaster prevention measures, resulting in unacceptable casualties.
During Kim’s visit to the helicopter unit, he commended the successful rescue missions and highlighted the safe emergency landing of a helicopter during a rescue operation, refuting South Korean media claims about multiple helicopter crashes.