North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has dismissed a vice premier over troubles in a factory modernization project, an apparent move to tighten discipline among officials and push them to deliver greater results ahead of a major political conference.
The ruling Workers’ Party congress, the first of its kind in five years, is one of the authoritarian regime’s biggest propaganda spectacles and is intended to review projects, establish political and economic priorities, and reshuffle officials.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim blamed Yang Sung Ho, a vice premier in charge of the machine-building industry, for causing “unnecessary man-made confusion” in works to modernize the Ryongsong Machine Complex in the nation’s northeast. In mid-January 2026, Kim said the project suffered “not a small amount of economic loss” because of irresponsible and incompetent officials.
Publicly scolding and firing officials is Kim’s management style. He likely aimed to “create extreme tensions among senior officials” and pressure them to improve results ahead of the party congress, said Kwak Gil Sup, the head of One Korea Center, a website specializing in North Korea.
Moon Seong Mook, an expert with the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, said the project’s troubles were more likely caused by Pyongyang’s structural problems, such as dedicating scarce resources to its illicit weapons of mass destruction programs, rather than by individual officials such as Yang.
“Kim Jong Un has gone all-in on nuclear and missile programs, but he’s mismanaged the economy,” Moon said. “He’s just passing the blame for his fault to a subordinate.”
North Korea’s economy suffered major setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. South Korea’s central bank said North Korea’s economy grew 3.7% in 2024, but many observers say the regime would find it difficult to achieve major, rapid growth due to its excessive focus on weapons, its inefficient highly centralized economy and international sanctions.
North Korea’s small economic growth largely benefits its ruling elite and weapons development sector rather than its people, further deepening inequalities, Kwak said.
During the congress, which is expected to be held in February, Kim likely will seek to strengthen cooperation with the regimes in China and Russia to bring gradual economic development, Kwak said.
Moon said Kim also likely will use the congress to formalize his stated goal of simultaneously advancing nuclear and conventional weapons programs.
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