North Korea's Kim Jong Un ordered dozens of executions over deadly floods

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un may have ordered the execution of at least 30 government officials after devastating summer floods killed thousands of people, according to a new report from South Korea.

South Korean broadcaster TV Chosun reported Tuesday that North Korean authorities sentenced 20 to 30 people to death last month for failing to stop deadly flooding.

An official told the outlet: “Between twenty and thirty cadres in the flood-affected area were executed at the same time late last month.”

While details are difficult to know given North Korea's extreme secrecy, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim ordered authorities to “strictly punish” officials after catastrophic floods hit Chagang province near the border with China in July.

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North Korean state media reported that heavy rains in late July left more than 4,000 homes as well as numerous other public buildings, structures, roads and railways flooded in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighboring city of Uiju.

Kim blamed public officials who neglected disaster prevention for causing “casualties that cannot be afforded.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea held from June 28 to July 1 in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korean News Service via AP)

North Korea has rejected offers of help from China, Russia and even South Korea, with whom tensions remain at historic levels.

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Kim made a two-day visit to Uiju in early August to meet with flood victims and discuss recovery efforts. During his visit, Kim was quoted by KCNA as accusing the South of exaggerating the extent of flood damage, calling it a “smear campaign” and a “serious provocation” against his government.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.