North Korea continues its all-out efforts to recover from the flood damage caused by recent heavy rains in the Yalu River area.
North Korea’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, urged its members on the front page of its February 2 edition, stating, “Party members, let us heed the call of the Party Central Committee and play a leading role in the struggle to create a miracle of transformation.”
On the second page, the newspaper emphasized the party’s recovery efforts, reflecting on residents’ reactions to the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s on-site guidance. The paper reported that residents who were isolated in the disaster area and later rescued expressed their gratitude, saying, “We never imagined our leader would come to such a rugged place” and “Thanks to his grace, we have been reborn.”
The third page of the newspaper highlighted the growing volunteer efforts for recovery. It noted, “The enthusiasm of Party members in response to the Political Bureau’s decision is increasing,” and reported a rising number of volunteers signing up.
Areas like Dechong-ri in Unpa County and Gangbuk-ri in Geumcheon County, which had experienced flooding in previous years, are seeing more volunteers. Youth participation is also notable, with 510 young people from Pyongyang alone joining the effort, showing a strong willingness among young people from various backgrounds to help.
Page four stressed the importance of “committing ourselves to minimizing damage from extreme weather events” and urged continued efforts to prevent additional harm.
The newspaper also covered Russian students participating in a North Korea-Russia youth friendship camp. They visited the Mangyongdae Student and Youth Palace. Additionally, North Korean athletes won gold medals at the 1st International Youth and Student Summer Sports Competition held in Russia.
The fifth-page detailed various efforts to implement party decisions, including organizing socialist grass-cutting competitions by agricultural labor unions and conducting high-speed tunneling competitions at the Bukchang Area Youth Coal Mine Complex. The paper also called for finding ways to revitalize livestock farming that suit local conditions.
The sixth page criticized capitalism, stating, “It is inevitable that the inhumane and anti-people society, where a tiny minority of exploiters and oppressors monopolize wealth and power while imposing poverty and disenfranchisement on the working masses, will perish.”