Water Pipe Burst and Wall Collapsed... Controversy Over Poor Construction of North Korea's Kim Jong-un's Key Policy 'Salimjip'

Controversy over poor construction has arisen regarding the 'Rural Household Construction Project,' a major policy task of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un. It is reported that the anxiety of local residents preparing to move in is also growing.

On the 24th (local time), the U.S.-based North Korea specialist media outlet Radio Free Asia (RFA) cited a local resident source living in Yanggang Province, North Korea, reporting, "The completion ceremony for the household units at Hwapyong Cooperative Farm in Poseong-ri, Samsu County, originally scheduled for the 14th, was held today." Among the approximately 100 household units, dozens reportedly required additional repairs due to burst water pipes and collapsed walls.

The household units are part of a project promoted by the North Korean authorities under the 5-year construction plan initiated in 2021. It is a project to build public housing where residents can live not only in Pyongyang but also throughout rural areas.

A fault-style dwelling house in North Korea. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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As the project was presented at the Party Congress, it was a key policy of Chairman Kim, but reports indicate growing issues such as delays in the completion ceremony and rushed repair work.

Regarding this, the media source said, "The anxiety among local residents remains," adding, "They held the completion ceremony again, claiming that all the poor-quality parts were repaired in less than ten days."

They continued, "Although the rural household units are promoted as modern cultural homes, in reality, they are in a vague state due to poor construction caused by material shortages and the pressure to meet completion deadlines."

Furthermore, "Although farm workers who participated in the completion ceremony received move-in certificates, most moved in with anxious minds," and "If water pipes burst or walls collapse after moving in, they have to repair everything themselves, so even moving into a new house is a major concern," they said.

Another local resident source also pointed out, "Water pipes burst and walls collapsed in several places because proper construction methods were not followed."

Meanwhile, on the day of the completion ceremony, the Rodong Sinmun praised, "Today, under the benevolent love of our Mother Party, new household units are splendidly rising not only in the capital Pyongyang but also in every province, presenting a proud reality where ordinary workers receive them free of charge," promoting the project.

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