Overview
- Kim announced Vice Premier Yang Seung-ho’s dismissal on Jan. 19 during an inspection of the refurbished Ryongseong Machinery Combined Enterprise in Hamhung.
- He denounced Yang as incompetent and said his irresponsible attitude was an attempt to insult the Workers’ Party.
- Reports said the overhaul strayed from its plan, wasting labor, money, and time while causing knock-on effects in the munitions industry.
- Kim urged accelerating practical modernization of the machinery sector to support broader economic development.
- He directed Prime Minister Pak Tae-song to appoint a new vice premier, a move analysts read as tightening discipline before the upcoming Party Congress.