＜Super-telephoto Lens Report＞North Korea's Flood Recovery Site (3) Young Soldiers Working Silently in Pouring Rain, Seemingly Driven by 'Do-or-Die Implementation' Slogan (10 Photos)

2024.11.08

What appears to be a border guard barracks, with cement being applied to the second-floor roof.

＜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)

Following the late July flooding that reportedly caused over 1,000 deaths and disappearances, the Kim Jong-un regime initially ordered completion of recovery work and housing of all affected households by October 10, the Workers' Party founding day. However, as observed from the Chinese side of the border in mid-October, recovery work was still ongoing in Uiju County, adjacent to Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province, with soldiers working even in the rain. (By HONG Mari)

◆ Work Continues Under 'Keep Moving Forward' Despite Heavy Rain

In Uiju County, about 30 minutes by car upstream from Sinuiju along the Yalu River, large-scale construction was visible. Most of those mobilized appeared to be military personnel.

A construction site with dozens of apartment buildings. The small building in front might be temporary quarters for soldiers.

Despite intermittent heavy rain that day, construction continued regardless of weather. Behind the soldiers working in the rain hung large banners with slogans like "Keep Moving Forward," appearing to exert silent pressure.

Soldiers continuing work despite downpours, seemingly driven by the "Keep Moving Forward" slogan. Some can be seen wearing white plastic raincoats.

◆ Workers Seen Washing Vegetables and Gloves at Well

At lunchtime, people disappeared from the site.

A soldier in winter uniform laying bricks with cement.

Away from the apartment complex construction site were temporary quarters for soldiers covered with blue waterproof sheets. Japanese HITACHI excavators were also being used.

Soldiers' temporary quarters with a HITACHI excavator visible behind. Front shows the slogan "Do-or-Die Defense, People-First Politics."

Trucks, presumably carrying materials, occasionally passed through the checkpoint beside the quarters.

A truck passing through a military checkpoint gate. Possibly transporting materials. "Do-or-Die Implementation" slogan in front.

A tent with smoke coming from its chimney might be a dining facility.

At a well on the corner of the residential area, people were seen washing vegetables and gloves.

Radish leaves were being dried at the corner of the residential area, presumably for preservation to be stir-fried or used in soup. People were seen washing vegetables at a well.

A border guard heading to tent quarters past the "Do-or-Die Implementation" slogan. Radish leaves drying in front.

Around 1 PM, presumably after lunch, soldiers returned to the construction site in formation, carrying materials by hand in the rain.

Soldiers, appearing to have finished lunch, returning to the construction site while manually transporting materials.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on November 5, Kim Jong Un inspected the recovery construction site along the Yalu River and ordered its completion "at the highest level" by the Workers' Party Central Committee plenary meeting scheduled for late December.