＜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)

2024.11.08

People resting, showing signs of fatigue. A man in blue uniform is a shock troop, and next to him is a soldier. A woman can be seen in the bottom right.

What's the current situation in northwestern North Korea, which suffered massive damage including deaths and missing persons due to heavy rains in late July? The photos in this article were taken with a super-telephoto lens from the Chinese side in mid-October. On Wihwado Island (in Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province) along the border river Yalu River, numerous people from the military and "shock troops" (specialized construction organizations) have been mobilized for urgent recovery work. (By HONG Mari)

Many people work on the topmost 15th floor. Women can be seen working in casual clothes without helmets. Only some of those working along the exterior walls are wearing safety ropes.

Women working on middle floors. The two people in blue uniforms on the right appear to be shock troops.

Workers resting near trucks carrying gravel. Female soldiers are present.

Workers are carrying what appears to be water for the construction site. A border guard stands watch with a rifle. The lieutenant next to him appears to be a junior officer from the construction unit.

Work being done on the roof of the 15-story building. The wooden framework around the exterior is uneven in length and thickness. It looks precarious.

Resting workers show exhausted expressions. In the background, a crane can be seen moving mixed concrete.

Shock troops working at height on the 15th floor. The man on the left wearing a white helmet is a supervisor. The women on the right have no helmets. Rebar is visible.

※ All photos taken of Wihwado Island, Sinuiju City, North Pyongan Province. October 2024, photographed from the Chinese side of the border by ASIAPRESS