Along the Yalu River, which divides the North Korea-China border, there are several hydroelectric power plants jointly operated by North Korea and China. Among them, the Supung Dam is the largest. Built during Japanese colonial times, it was East Asia's biggest in the 1940s. The downstream area of Supung Dam is also famous as a scenic spot, where from tour boats one can closely view Sakju County of North Pyongan Province across the river. ASIAPRESS took photos with a super-telephoto lens from the Chinese side of the border in mid-October. (HONG Mari)
◆Military Factory Renewal from Ruins?
Sakju, located in the mountains, has many military-related factories, though not as many as Jagang Province. It's known to have a large military boot manufacturing factory.
Generally in North Korea, military factories are often built in mountainous areas or underground to make satellite confirmation difficult. However, in Sakju, the Cheonsu Chemical Factory built along the Yalu River is visible from the Chinese side. It was built during Japanese colonial times and has been said to produce materials for chemical weapons.
The Cheonsu Chemical Factory was virtually in ruins from the late 1990s. The dilapidated factory showed signs of gradual renovation starting around 2019. By 2021, parts of the roof were painted green and smoke could be seen coming from the chimneys.
When our reporting team visited the site in mid-October this year, the exterior walls were cleanly painted. While what's being produced is unclear, smoke suggested it was operational.
◆Flood Recovery Work Even Outside the Wire Fencing
The heavy rains that hit northern North Korea in late July also damaged Sakju, located downstream of the Yalu River. Like other regions, soldiers could be seen here conducting recovery work.
They seem to be building barracks. Hundreds of meters from the construction site, soldiers were gathering materials in one place. Soldiers could be seen carrying concrete blocks on their backs or A-frame carriers, walking heavily while leaning forward.
Upon reaching the material collection point, soldiers would lean and drop the concrete blocks to the ground. From how roughly they handled the blocks and their condition, it appears they're collecting blocks from flood-damaged buildings for reuse.
Downstream from Supung Dam, border guards were conducting flood recovery work even outside the wire fencing meant to prevent crossing to China or defection. They appeared to be repairing flood-damaged embankments.
Perhaps finished with work that day, around 4 PM as the sun began to set, soldiers returned inside through the metal gate dividing the inside and outside of the wire fence. Two armed soldiers counted the assembled personnel. It was clear that going outside the wire fence was strictly controlled.
※ All photos taken of Sakju County, North Pyongan Province, in October 2024 from the Chinese side of the border by ASIAPRESS (excluding 2021 Cheonsu Chemical Factory photo)
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