North Korea says 50,000-unit housing construction project in Pyongyang nearing completion
Seoul, Feb 11
North Korea said on Wednesday that a landmark housing project launched at a previous party congress to build 50,000 living units in Pyongyang will soon be complete, marking a major preparatory step ahead of another party congress later this month.
"The goal of building 50,000 living units in the capital, set at the eighth party congress, is nearing ... final completion according to the party-set schedule," the Rodong Sinmun, the party-run newspaper, said.
The housing construction is a pet project of leader Kim Jong-un, unveiled at the 2021 congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, aimed at addressing housing shortages and enhancing living standards.
In 2021, North Korea unveiled a plan to build 50,000 new apartments in Pyongyang over five years.
Under the project, a total of 40,000 living units were constructed in Pyongyang's Songsin and Songhwa districts in 2022 and in the Hwasong district from 2023 to 2025, with the remaining 10,000 units now nearing completion.
The newspaper said the project created 'a model modern city' equipped with advanced infrastructure, road networks and green zones over a five-year period.
"This grand and elaborate constructions represent the remarkable changes and development of the great era of Kim Jong-un," the newspaper said.
Officials in Seoul have predicted that the North Korean regime may first complete the key construction project before convening the ninth party congress, which the North has said will take place in late February.
The regime is expected to outline its key policy priorities for the economy, defence and diplomacy during the party meeting, with the Pyongyang construction project likely to be hailed widely as a major party accomplishment aimed at rallying public support, Yonhap news agency reported.
With the proclaimed aim of resolving housing issues for Pyongyang residents, the first batch of 10,000 units was built in the capital's Songsin and Songhwa districts in 2022 under the project, following by 40,000 units constructed in four stages in the northeastern Hwasong district, including the 10,000 now being completed.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Building 50,000 homes is no small feat. It reminds me of our own PM Awas Yojana. The key is whether these houses reach the people who need them most. The article says it's to address shortages, so let's hope it does.
The timing before the party congress is very strategic. Clearly a showpiece project to demonstrate success. We see similar things everywhere. The real question is about the resources used - could that money have been better spent on food or healthcare for their people?
As someone living in Delhi, I understand the critical need for urban housing. If this project genuinely houses 50,000 families in Pyongyang, that's a significant achievement. The "model modern city" with green zones sounds promising.
The newspaper's language is pure propaganda. "Remarkable changes of the great era"... sounds familiar from other regimes. I'll believe the living standards have enhanced when we hear from independent sources, not just the party paper.
Infrastructure development is always good news. Hope the residents get proper amenities. In our cities, new housing projects sometimes lack water or electricity connections. The "advanced infrastructure" must be functional, not just on paper.
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