A new report from South Korea suggests that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un may have ordered the execution of at least 30 government officials following the devastating floods that occurred over the summer, resulting in thousands of deaths.

According to the South Korean news outlet, North Korean authorities sentenced between 20 and 30 individuals to death last month for their failure to prevent the deadly floods.

An official source told the news outlet, “Twenty to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month.”

While obtaining specific details is challenging due to North Korea’s extreme secrecy, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has reported that Kim directed authorities to “strictly punish” the officials after catastrophic floods struck the Chagang Province, near the Chinese border, in July.

The report indicates that heavy rains in late July resulted in the flooding of over 4,000 homes and numerous other public buildings, structures, roads, and railways in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighboring town of Uiju.

Kim placed the blame on public officials who he accused of neglecting disaster prevention, stating that their inaction led to “the casualty that cannot be allowed.”

North Korea has rejected offers of assistance from China, Russia, and even South Korea, with tensions remaining at an all-time high between the two Koreas.

Kim conducted 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 the flood damage, calling it a “smear campaign” and a “grave provocation” against his government.