Kim Jong-un Sacks Vice Premier Over Lapses in Machinery Plant Modernisation

Seoul, Jan 2026 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has dismissed a vice premier from the country’s Cabinet, publicly censuring the official for what he described as serious irresponsibility in overseeing the modernisation of a key machinery plant. State media reported on Tuesday that the rare on-the-spot dismissal reflects Kim’s growing emphasis on discipline and accountability ahead of an important ruling party congress.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim removed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho during an inauguration ceremony for the first-stage modernisation project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex on Monday. The dismissal took place publicly, an unusual move in North Korea’s tightly controlled political system, underscoring the leadership’s dissatisfaction with the project’s execution.

KCNA quoted Kim as saying that the modernisation effort had “encountered difficulties and incurred not a little amount of economic loss,” while also suffering from “unnecessary man-made confusions.” He blamed these shortcomings on poor oversight and mismanagement, stressing that such failures were unacceptable at a time when the country is striving to strengthen its industrial base.

The Ryongsong Machine Complex modernisation was launched as part of Kim’s broader plan to develop the machine-building industry, a priority outlined at the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea’s (WPK) eighth party congress in 2021. The complex, located in South Hamgyong Province, plays a vital role in supplying machinery and equipment to major mines and industrial factories across the country.

Kim went further in his criticism, accusing Yang of attempting to mock the party leadership with what he called “unjust remarks and acts.” He declared that Yang was unqualified to hold the post of vice premier. Yang, who previously served as machinery industry minister before being promoted to vice premier overseeing the sector, is also an alternate member of the WPK’s Politburo.

The public reprimand appears to be a warning to other senior economic officials as North Korea prepares for its ninth party congress, where the leadership is expected to present a new economic development vision and carry out a reshuffle of key personnel. Analysts see the move as part of an effort to tighten discipline and eliminate what Kim perceives as complacency within the bureaucracy.

Kim revealed that the party had been forced to dispatch a group of experts to conduct a comprehensive review of the Ryongsong project. The review reportedly identified around 60 problems linked to poor implementation. He accused Cabinet officials involved of shifting blame, prioritising self-protection, and failing to take responsibility.

The WPK, Kim said, has reached a “clear-cut determination” that abandoning old practices of relying on officials accustomed to “defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness” must become the starting point for future development and innovation.

Despite the setback, Kim set fresh goals for the next stage of modernisation at the Ryongsong Machine Complex and outlined detailed tasks to further advance North Korea’s machine-building industry, signalling that industrial development remains a central focus of his economic agenda.

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