◆ North Korean High-rises Prioritize Appearance
Construction of apartments for disaster victims began in early August, with completion deadlines extended several times. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong-un ordered "completion at the highest level" by the Workers' Party plenary meeting scheduled for late December. Photos taken from China in December show the apartment exteriors looking dramatically more organized.
However, North Korean high-rise apartments, while attractive on the outside, are very inconvenient to live in. Many apartments lack elevators, and even when installed, they usually don't operate due to power shortages. Water supply is similarly limited by power shortages, and upper floors typically can't use water due to low pressure. Will residents really welcome such inconvenient and unsafe apartments?
◆ "In Our Country, We Don't Care About Whether It's Safe"
A correspondent in Hyesan City, Ryanggang Province, said:
"Water barely reaches above the fifth floor. However, to maintain the country's image (conscious of views from China), they'll likely install 'industrial power lines' rather than 'residential lines,' so power conditions should be better than regular housing."
※ 'Industrial lines' are dedicated power lines for factory production, while 'residential lines' are for general households. Industrial lines get priority, allowing longer hours of electricity use.
The correspondent says nearby apartments often need repairs due to poor construction causing cement to fall from room walls. Anticipating similar issues with the disaster victim apartments under construction, they say:
"Since these apartments are being built under Kim Jong-un's directive, they'll have elevators and some facilities, so people will compete to move in. At our country's level, we don't care about whether it was built properly (ensuring safety) or not."
For residents forced into prolonged evacuation, the need for safe housing comes first, without question. However, how long will that safety be guaranteed? As long as external appearance takes priority, it won't be for long.
※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.
