North Korea has launched extensive construction recovery efforts in areas affected by recent flooding. This occurred ten days after heavy rains hit Sinuiju City and Uiju County in North Pyongan Province.
According to the latest local report, party members and youth volunteers have arrived in the affected areas to begin the work.
The state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported today that the People’s Committee of Pyongyang City members arrived in Jagang Province on Tuesday and immediately started construction work.
The newspaper stated, “As soon as the battalion and company members arrived, they quickly set aside their backpacks and joined the recovery efforts, actively engaging in land clearing, road restoration, and securing aggregates.”
The Paektusan Hero Youth Shock Brigade also reached the disaster recovery site in North Pyongan Province and swiftly began preparations for construction work.
The report particularly emphasized the efforts of the youth members of the shock brigade who arrived in Uiju County.
Despite the fatigue from their long journey, they unleashed their vigorous spirit and passion, determined to overcome any challenge if the Party desired it, and immediately began preliminary work.
It added that they are energetically pushing forward with preparations, including constructing a cement storage facility.
Yesterday, the Paektusan Hero Youth Shock Brigade gathered at the Plaza of the April 25 Cultural Center in Pyongyang for a departure ceremony, during which the leader Kim Jong Un personally praised the youth members.
On the day, Rodong Shinmun reflected on Kim’s speech in its front-page editorial, emphasizing, “If young people are filled with passionate energy, they must position themselves at the forefront of the times. They should not be lost in search of comfort and enjoyment but instead, become brave pioneers who boldly overcome storms.”
Last month, heavy rains flooded the Sinuiju City and Uiju County regions in North Pyongan Province and Jagang Province. During an expanded emergency Politburo meeting held from July 29 to 30, Kim dispatched the People’s Army and the Baekdu Mountain Hero Youth Shock Brigade to restore over 4,400 residential units in those affected regions and build embankments in the island areas. He also mobilized military and party units in severely damaged cities and counties.
Given the scale of this year’s flooding, North Korea will likely emphasize internal cohesion and unity while intensely demanding a “speed battle” in construction recovery efforts going forward.