North korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sacked a vice premier of the North's cabinet due to the official's irresponsibility in modernizing a machinery plant, state media reported Tuesday. This action comes ahead of a significant party congress.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho "on the spot" while inspecting the Ryongsong Machine Complex modernization project. The project encountered difficulties and incurred economic loss, experiencing man-made confusions, as reported by the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim stated that the North's ruling party has determined that the current economic guidance forces are unable to guide the work of readjusting and technologically upgrading the country's industry. He emphasized the need to break from old practices and reliance on those accustomed to defeatism, irresponsibility, and passiveness. This is seen as a new starting point for future development.

The Ryongsong Machine Complex project was initiated under Kim's plan to develop the country's machine-building industry, as outlined at the ruling party's eighth party congress, according to the KCNA.