An Era Where Even North Korea Buys Bottled Water and Kimchi... Spread During Kim Jong-un's Rule

One of the new projects since Kim Jong-un's rise to power
Gradually popularized by establishing bottled water and kimchi factories

Consumption of factory-produced kimchi and bottled water is spreading in North Korea as well. In particular, this lifestyle change has become prominent over the past five years.

According to the report "Trends in Major Targeted Construction during Kim Jong-un's 10 Years in Power" by researcher Kwon Joo-hyun, included in the "2022 North Korea Urban Forum Proceedings" released by the Korea Institute for National Unification on the 25th, kimchi factories and bottled water factories have spread nationwide in North Korea since 2016.

The current status of North Korean construction projects included in this report was analyzed based on North Korea's state-run media Rodong Sinmun reports and data from the Korea Land and Housing Corporation's "North Korea Construction and Development Trends."

Like other construction sectors in North Korea, kimchi factories and spring water factories started in Pyongyang and then spread nationwide.

Regarding spring water factories, which correspond to bottled water factories in South Korea, the first report appeared in 2015 about the establishment of the Ryongaksan Spring Water Factory in Pyongyang. Subsequently, during the 7th to 10th years of Kim Jong-un's rule, factories were completed in 15 locations including Pyongsong in South Pyongan Province, Haeju in South Hwanghae Province, Sariwon in North Hwanghae Province, and Wonsan in Kangwon Province.

This also reflects North Korea's situation where aging water pipes have caused severe tap water contamination. In October 2017, North Korea enacted the "Spring Water Management Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," which states that "ensuring hygiene and safety in the production and supply of spring water is an important task to protect the lives and health of the people." It also clearly stipulates that "the state shall scientifically establish and strictly enforce hygiene and safety standards in the production and supply of spring water."

Kim Jong-un inspecting the Ryongaksan Spring Water Factory in 2016 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Initially, carrying bottled water was considered a sign of wealth due to its high price, but as the authorities expanded factories, it gradually became popularized. North Korean media also actively promoted it, stating that "the quality of spring water is good and the water sources are abundant."

Since the report of the completion of the Ryugyong Kimchi Factory in Pyongyang in 2016, kimchi factories have been established in 11 locations nationwide, including Chongjin in North Hamgyong Province, Pyongsong in South Pyongan Province, and Hyesan in Ryanggang Province, between 2018 and 2022, the 7th to 10th years of Kim Jong-un's rule.

Researcher Kwon explained, "The construction projects for kimchi factories and spring water factories rarely appeared in reports during the Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il eras, but have been intensively developed since the 7th year of Kim Jong-un's rule as new construction projects."

He added, "The nationwide spread of factories producing spring water and kimchi is evidence that lifestyle culture in North Korea is changing to drinking bottled water and buying factory-produced kimchi."

In addition to kimchi and spring water factories, sewage treatment plants, wastewater purification facilities, and medical oxygen plants have been identified as new construction projects emerging after the 7th year of Kim Jong-un's rule. Sewage treatment plants also serve as facilities for fertilizer supply alongside urban infrastructure maintenance.

Researcher Kwon said, "Due to international sanctions and other factors causing shortages in supply, it appears that sewage treatment plants are operating nationwide to produce fertilizer as a substitute for chemical fertilizers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.