North Korea is mobilizing its workforce and resources to recover from recent flood damage near the Yalu River, aiming to turn the disaster into an opportunity.
The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that “all people and soldiers of the People’s Army are resolutely overcoming today’s crisis and making a fiery pledge to build a paradise in the disaster-stricken areas.”
The newspaper described the emergency expanded meeting of the party convened for disaster recovery as “a political event that distinctly showcased the party’s mission of selfless service to the people and its popular character, marking a transformative moment that elevates the nation’s disaster prevention and management capabilities to a new high level.”
It also expressed confidence: “With our strength and our hands, we can boldly rebuild a socialist paradise in the disaster-affected areas.”
The newspaper highlighted the importance of collective efforts for disaster recovery.
According to the newspaper, various institutions such as the Morangbong District General Store and hospitals send supplies like food and clothing to affected regions, including North Hamgyong Province, South Hwanghae Province, and Gangwon Province.
Given the occurrence of casualties, there seems to be a strong focus on dispatching medical capabilities. A rapid mobile treatment team of medical workers from central-level hospitals has been deployed, and medical workers from Pyongyang Medical University Hospital, Kim Man Yu Hospital, and Okryu Children’s Hospital have also arrived at the site.
On the same day, the newspaper published statements from officials in various sectors, including the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Information Industry, the Ministry of Electric Power, and the Sangwon Cement Complex, pledging swift disaster recovery efforts.
Young people assigned to this flood recovery said, “We will repay the great trust of our leader with loyalty, as he placed us at the forefront of the capital construction battle last year and now calls us again to the flood recovery front,” the newspaper reported.
North Korea seems determined to use this disaster as an opportunity to strengthen unity among residents for recovery efforts while also aiming to quell any unrest caused by the disaster.
In September 2020, after the Geomdeok area suffered significant damage from a typhoon, North Korea mobilized national construction capabilities to build over 2,000 new homes, promoting the area as a national exemplary mountain city.
