Image Credits : Koryo Group
North Korea has launched an investigation, pointing to the mismanagement of the jointly operated Supung Dam. The flooding, which inundated the border region shared by North Korea and China, has caused extensive damage, particularly in North Korea’s North Pyongan province. Villages such as Sangdan, Hadan, and Ryucho were completely submerged, leading to widespread devastation.
North Korea’s Central Committee initiated the investigation following an emergency meeting in Sinuiju, presided over by leader Kim Jong Un. The committee’s preliminary findings indicate that the floodgate openings at the Supung Dam, operated by both North Korea and China, were mishandled, leading to the sudden swelling of the Yalu River. The automated system of the dam and the timing of the water release are now under scrutiny.
A significant point of contention in the investigation is the power-sharing agreement between the two nations. China reportedly receives 80% of the electricity generated by the Supung Dam, while North Korea receives only 20%. This imbalance has fueled North Korean claims that China should bear more responsibility for managing the dam, particularly during such critical moments.
The flooding comes after record-breaking rainfall hit the region, and local authorities were unprepared to handle the water levels. Efforts to reinforce levees were insufficient, as makeshift repairs carried out by university students in the affected villages were quickly overwhelmed by the rising waters.
North Korean authorities are expected to release a comprehensive report on the flooding later this month, detailing the extent of the damage and offering recommendations for improved management of the dam. However, with China’s role in the disaster under scrutiny, the situation may strain relations between the two countries, which have traditionally maintained a strong alliance