North Korea announced that a significant housing project initiated at a prior party congress to construct 50,000 living units in Pyongyang is close to being finished. The project, a brainchild of leader Kim Jong-un, was introduced at the 2021 congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea to address housing shortages and elevate living standards. The plan involved building 50,000 new apartments in Pyongyang over five years, with 40,000 units already completed in specific districts and the remaining 10,000 units nearing finalization.
The construction effort aimed to create a modern city with advanced infrastructure, road networks, and green spaces within a five-year timeframe. Described as a representation of the era of Kim Jong-un, the project is seen as a significant achievement. Speculations suggest that North Korea might finish this crucial construction before the upcoming ninth party congress, scheduled for late February. The congress is anticipated to outline key policy priorities for the economy, defense, and diplomacy, with the Pyongyang housing project likely to be highlighted as a major accomplishment to garner public support.
Officials in Seoul have noted that the regime’s focus on resolving housing issues led to the completion of 10,000 units in specific districts in 2022, followed by the construction of 40,000 units in stages in the northeastern Hwasong district, including the final 10,000 units currently in progress.
