Kim Jong Un said efforts to rebuild a typhoon-stricken region in North Korea was a national priority to revive “important arteries of the national economy,” state media said Wednesday.

The eastern town of Komdok was obliterated when Typhoon Maysak swept through last week — in the latest blow to the Hermit Kingdom’s already weakened economy.

At a Workers’ Party meeting Tuesday, Kim said the damage from Maysak, which made landfall last Wednesday, has forced the country to reconsider year-end projects but didn’t offer specifics, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

The typhoon caused “severe damage” in Komdok, destroying or flooding more than 2,000 homes and dozens of public buildings, washing away more than 37 miles of roadways and collapsing 59 bridges, KCNA reported. Several miles of railroads were also damaged in mining areas.

Kim ordered that the rebuilding of homes, roads and railways be completed by Oct. 10, when the ruling party celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding.

Some experts suggested Kim is trying to portray himself as a compassionate leader by staging high-level political conferences and visits to disaster sites to boost internal unity — as his country faces economic setbacks and external pressure.

“The political risk to Kim of failing to deliver promised reconstruction may be limited, but an accumulation of economic failures will strain his regime,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

He toured other typhoon-ravaged areas in the country’s northeast over the weekend. The appearance followed allegations that Kim had been in a coma.

With Post Wires

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