＜Super-telephoto Lens Report＞North Korea's Flood Recovery Sites (1) Construction Workers, Including Many Women, Working High in the Sky Without Safety Equipment (7 Photos)

In mid-October, ASIAPRESS captured images of North Korea's northwestern region from the Chinese side of the border. The area had suffered severe damage from heavy rains in late July. In the lower reaches of the Yalu River, a massive apartment construction project was underway, so extensive that it couldn't be captured in a single view.
According to photos released by North Korean state media on October 5, there appear to be well over several dozen buildings under construction. When examined with a super-telephoto lens, numerous mobilized workers, including soldiers, could be seen working at high-rise construction sites with unstable scaffolding and insufficient safety equipment. (By HONG Mari)

◆ Gravel, Bricks, Drainage Pipes... A Lot of Materials

The Yalu River region, particularly its lower reaches, suffered tremendous damage from heavy rains in late July. While some reports suggested over 1,000 deaths, the exact number remains uncertain. According to ASIAPRESS's investigation through reporting partners living in northern North Korea, besides numerous missing and dead, there was confirmed damage including houses and farmland being washed away and trains being halted due to tracks being destroyed.

Along the riverbank of Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, where extensive flooding occurred, large quantities of essential construction materials including gravel, bricks, and drainage pipes were stockpiled. These appear to be transported to various construction sites by vehicles.

◆ Multiple Apartments Under Simultaneous Construction

Major construction work was in full swing on Wihwado, the largest island in the Yalu River near Sinuiju. At least several dozen apartment buildings could be seen being constructed simultaneously. When viewing individual buildings through a super-telephoto lens, around 100 people could be seen working together at the top levels.

Among these was a 15-story apartment building. While most workers wore helmets, no safety harnesses could be seen. With many people gathered at unstable scaffolding at high elevations, it appeared accidents could occur at any time.

Based on uniforms and rank insignias, workers were mobilized from various groups including military, storm troops, Socialist Patriotic Youth League, and construction companies. A significant number of women were also mobilized. Armed border guards could be seen wearing "inspector" armbands to prevent workers from approaching the Chinese border. All resting workers appeared visibly exhausted.

※ Storm Troops: Construction labor units mobilized for major state construction projects. Selected from workplaces and party members.

※ Socialist Patriotic Youth League: A Workers' Party organization for high school students, university students, and working youth generally up to age 30.

※ All photos, except those from North Korean media, were taken from the Chinese side of the border near Wihwado, Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province in October 2024 by ASIAPRESS

＜Super-telephoto Lens Report＞North Korea's Flood Recovery Site (2) Dizzying Scenes... Young Women Working Without Helmets on 15-Story Buildings, Visible Signs of Fatigue (8 Photos)