Kim Jong-Un leaves farmers stunned in angry visit

May 19, 2015

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-Un left managers shell-shocked during an angry visit to a terrapin farm

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-Un left managers shell-shocked during an angry visit to a terrapin farm.

 

The country's Supreme Leader is regularly pictured doling out "expert" advice during "field guidance" trips to farms and factories.

 

But in a rare departure from his usual smiles, a large photo on the front page of state newspaper Rodong Sinmun shows a clearly irate Kim wagging a finger at officials in a building housing terrapin-breeding tanks.

 

Mr Kim "strongly criticised the shortcoming of its officials as a manifestation of incompetence, outmoded way of thinking and irresponsible work style," the North's official KCNA news agency said.

 

He took particular umbrage at the fact the failings were at a farm set up by his late father Kim Jong-Il to "provide the people with tasty and nutritious terrapin widely known as a precious tonic from olden times".

 

"The employees who failed to bear deep in their minds (Kim Jong-Il's) leadership exploits could hardly perform their role as masters in production," a furious Mr Kim was quoted as saying.

 

If all officials were as incompetent as those at Taedonggang Terrapin Farm, then North Korea would never achieve his father's visionary goals, he added.

 

Terrapin - usually served as a soup - is an expensive delicacy on menus in North Korea.

 

The farm was also meant to breed freshwater lobsters, but failed because of its managers' "irresponsible work style," KCNA said.

 

The country is set to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean Workers' Party (WPK) and there is speculation Mr Kim wanted the terrapins and lobsters for a lavish feast.

 

KCNA gave no other details of the reasons for Mr Kim's displeasure at the farm, located on the outskirts of Pyongyang.

 

But public dressing-downs are rare during his field trips, and will be deeply worrying for those on the receiving end.

 

Last year, he complained there were "too many incorrect" weather forecasts during a tour of a meteorological station.

 

And in 2013, he was pictured berating officials after spotting broken pavements and weeds at an amusement park.

 

Mr Kim has ordered the execution of more than a dozen officials so far this year, apparently for questioning his authority, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS).

 

Last week, he reportedly executed his defence minister Hyon Yong Chol by anti-aircraft fire as punishment for falling asleep at a military event.

 

The 66-year-old was killed because he fell foul of a younger generation of technocrats that make up the core of Kim's regime, US experts believe.

 

Ex-State Department official John Merrill told Radio Free Asia there was probably conflict between Kim and the military over funding.

 

He pointed out that several senior military leaders have been purged while the technocrats seem secure in their posts.

 

On Thursday, Ban Ki-Moon will become the first UN Secretary General to set foot in North Korea for more than 20 years when he visits the Kaesong joint industrial complex.

 

Mr Ban confirmed his visit to the zone, jointly operated by the two Koreas, during a news conference in the South Korean port of Incheon.

 

The last UN chief to go to North Korea was Boutros Boutros-Ghali in 1993.

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