Kim Jong-un Dismisses Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho on the Spot Over Economic Failures

He's out on the spot. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has fired Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho during a field inspection, citing "irresponsibility" in a key industrial modernization project. This rare public dismissal, reported on January 20, 2026, comes just ahead of a critical party congress, signaling a major crackdown on bureaucratic failure.

Kim Jong-un Dismisses Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho Following Ryongsong Failures

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the dismissal occurred while Kim was inspecting the Ryongsong Machine Complex. The leader claimed the modernization project had encountered significant difficulties and incurred a "not a little amount of economic loss" due to unnecessary man-made confusion. Kim didn't hold back, labeling the current economic guidance forces as incapable of upgrading the nation's industry.

A War on Defeatism and Passiveness

The purge is more than a simple HR move; it's a declaration of war against the old practices of the North Korean cabinet. Kim stated that breaking away from those accustomed to "defeatism, irresponsibility, and passiveness" is essential for future development. The Ryongsong project was a centerpiece of the eighth party congress plans, making its failure a personal affront to the leader's economic vision.