SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s leader Kim Yong Un visited a flooded area near the country’s border with China this week to address plans to support those affected by recent heavy rainfall and flooding, including bringing about 15,400 people to the country’s capital until new housing is built, state media said KCNA on Saturday.
Kim made a two-day trip on Thursday and Friday to Uiju County, one of the affected areas, to offer additional support to those affected, KCNA reported.
Thousands of homes in North Korea’s Sinuiju city and Uiju County were flooded due to heavy rains, North Korea said last week.
In late July, Kim visited flooded areas and inspected rescue efforts where the military organized about 10 planes to make about 20 trips each to rescue 4,200 people within about half a day after the region was hit by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Gaemi.
KCNA said Kim raised plans to provide state aid to the elderly, soldiers, children and mothers in the country’s capital Pyongyang until their new homes are built, adding that about 15,400 people could be brought to Pyongyang.
Kim said it would take at least two to three months for the flood victims to stabilize their lives after house construction and repair work is done due to the heavy damage.
Kim also thanked the countries and international organizations that have reached out to North Korea and shown intent to provide humanitarian aid, but said the country will “forge its own path with its own strength and effort,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
On Sunday, North Korea said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered humanitarian aid to North Korea. Kim thanked the offer but said that since his government has already taken steps to carry out recovery work, he would ask for help “if help is necessary,” KCNA reported.
Last week, South Korea’s Red Cross said South Korea was ready to provide the North with aid for damage caused by recent heavy rains.
(Reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Chris Reese)