In a speech during an event, North Korean leader reprimanded party members for delays in projects
The leader of North Korea, , fired the Vice Prime Minister Yang Sung-ho for “incompetence”. According to state news agency, the dismissal took placeuring to ceremony inauguration of the 1st phase of a modernization project at the Ryongsong Industrial Complex, on the outskirts of Pyongyang, on Monday (19 January 2026).
During his speech, Kim Jong-un said he was resigning Yang Sung-ho of the office responsible for the machinery industry for its “irresponsibility and passivity” in the execution of the modernization project.
“Speaking figuratively, in simpler terms, he was like a goat pulling an ox cart. Should we consider this an incidental error in our staffing practice. Could we expect a goat to pull an ox cart?”declared the North Korean leader, referring to Yang.
Kim Jong-un said the project got off to a bad start and publicly reprimanded party members for delays in government projects.
“Entirely due to the irresponsibility, rudeness and incompetence of key officials, the project faced difficulties and suffered considerable economic losses, in addition to unnecessary confusion caused by men”said Kim.
According to the South Korean state news agency Yonhap, Yang is an alternate member of the party’s leadership council. His replacement has not yet been announced.
In recent weeks, North Korea’s leader has made a series of visits to factories, as well as weapons tests, ahead of the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party, which is expected to be held soon to define key policy goals.
