In recent months, Kim Jong Un has issued renewed calls for his government to carry out tough measures against corruption. 

In a meeting with top party secretaries in June, the supreme leader called for “waging a more intensive struggle against unsound and non-revolutionary acts including abuse of power” among party members, and a subsequent leadership reshuffle appeared linked to the crackdown.

This came after the Rodong Sinmun quoted Kim as promising to “mercilessly” punish cadres who “infringe upon the people’s interests” in a lead article in May 2020.

Despite this rhetoric, no serious