Gardeners in North Korea are sent to labor camps for failing to grow particular flowers

North Korea – The North Korean government has deported thousands of gardeners to labor camps after thousands of special flowers planted to commemorate the late dictator’s birthday failed to blossom.

The Kimjongilia, which was named after Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-father un’s and previous North Korean leader, were supposed to be in bloom on February 16 to commemorate the late dictator’s birthday, according to the North Korean newspaper Daily Star.

The Day of Shining Star is celebrated by lining the streets of the hermit nation with red flowers in memory of Kim Jong-il, who died in 2011 at the age of 69.

However, due to shortages of firewood, which is required to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity in greenhouses where the blooms are grown, gardeners were unable to harvest the blossoms in time this year.

Gardens were accused of ignoring the plants, and several gardeners were imprisoned to six months in severe labor camps as a consequence of their actions.

Farm manager Han has also allegedly been imprisoned for six months on suspicion of involvement with the farm, which is claimed to be situated in Samsu County.

An order was issued to Han, who is in his fifties, during a regional party committee meeting held last month to have the Kimjongilias ready.

He expressed his dissatisfaction with the flowers, which was disregarded, and was subsequently fired and arrested.

Choi, a farm worker in his 40s who was accused of not “properly” controlling the temperature of the greenhouse boilers, was sentenced to three months in a labor camp after being found guilty.

The birthday of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-il, is one of the country’s most significant national festivals.

North Koreans were also obliged to spend 11 days of mourning to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his death, which occurred last year. During this period, laughing and drinking alcohol are also outlawed.