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(Image: EPA/IFRC)

Seven teachers also died after Typhoon Lionrock the northern province of Hamgyong.

A source told South Korean media: “At Songhak High School, located near Hoeryong, seven teachers, including the vice-principal, and six students lost their lives while attempting to recover portraits and oil paintings out of the flood waters.

(Image: IFRC)

“The vice-principal, fearing punishment for not properly protecting the idolisation material, declared an emergency during the flood, and the teachers and the teachers and students mobilised for the recovery task ended up losing their lives.”

The portraits are said to be Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the grandfather and father of current despotic leader Kim Jong-un.

Pyongyang has confirmed 133 people died in the floods in August and 395 remain missing.

But aid agencies claim 70,000 people have been made homeless by the disaster and need to be rehoused before the bitter winter sets in.

Millions of portraits are said to adorn schools, homes and workplaces as citizens are ordered to worship the family’s pictures.

The source added: “If it weren't for the vice-principal's forced display of loyalty, they could have avoided tragedy. It was the demand for loyalty that the worker's party so emphasises that drove them to their deaths.

(Image: GETTY)

Head of humanitarian group IFRC, Chris Staines said: “Urgent action is needed before the first snows fall.

“Last year that was in third week of October. People lack proper shelter, clothing and other basic items to stay warm and healthy through the winter.”

Harrowing footage from IFRC show the extent of the damage of the floods and the displaced people living in shelters.

It is said around 600,000 North Koreans have been affected by the natural disaster.