North Korean leader Kim Jong-un dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho on the spot during an inauguration ceremony at the Ryongsong Machine Complex on January 19 due to irresponsibility in modernizing the facility. This rare public sacking appears aimed at tightening discipline among economic officials ahead of a key party congress. The project stems from Kim's 2021 plan to advance the machine-building industry.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho on the spot at an inauguration ceremony for the first-stage modernization project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex on January 19, state media reported on January 20. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim criticized the project for "encountering difficulties and incurring not a little amount of economic loss, experiencing unnecessary man-made confusions," attributing it to Yang's irresponsibility.
Yang, a former machinery industry minister promoted to vice premier in charge of the machinery sector, is also an alternate member of the Workers' Party of Korea's (WPK) Politburo. Kim accused him of attempting to "mock the party center with unjust remarks and acts," declaring him unqualified for the post. The project was promoted under Kim's plan to advance the country's machine-building industry, outlined at the WPK's eighth party congress in 2021.
Kim stated that the party deployed a group of experts for an overall review, uncovering around 60 problems due to shoddy implementation. He accused Cabinet officials of passing the buck and engaging in self-protectionism. KCNA quoted Kim as saying the WPK "has come to a clear-cut determination ... that breaking with old practices of pinning hope on those who have too long been accustomed to defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness will be a new starting point for future pioneering and development."
This rare public reproach of a vice premier is seen as an effort to tighten discipline among economic officials ahead of the upcoming ninth party congress, where the regime expects to outline an economic development vision and conduct a personnel reshuffle. Kim also set next-stage modernization goals for the complex and detailed tasks to propel the machine-building industry.
Located in South Hamgyong Province, the Ryongsong Machine Complex is a major facility supplying equipment to key mines and industrial factories. The incident highlights North Korea's emphasis on internal discipline amid its economic priorities.
