In a country where state secrecy and control are paramount, North Korea has recently made headlines with its mega-scale home construction project. The regime, led by its leader, Kim Jong-un, aims to build 50,000 new homes in Pyongyang by 2025 to address housing shortages and improve outdated residential facilities, with 10,000 units to be completed annually. 

According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim attended the completion ceremony which celebrated the nation’s success in achieving its goal to build 10,000 new homes in Phase 2 of the Hwasong District this year. The ceremony marked the third large-scale housing district completed since the North Korean New Town Project was announced at the 8th Party Congress in January 2021. It was reported that 10,000 modern homes were built in Songhwa District in April 2022 and another 10,000 homes in Phase 1 of Hwasong District in April 2023.

SYMBOLIC SHOWCASE

According to theth DailyNK, the number of homeless people, known as “kkotjebi,” has been on the rise in every major North Korean city. On the surface, the project appears to benefit North Korean citizens by providing housing to those in need. However, beyond the humanitarian façade, Kim is the ultimate beneficiary from personally overseeing this project:

1. First, upgrading housing facilities directly helps strengthen the regime’s cohesion and fosters loyalty among the population. 

2. Second, by addressing housing shortages, the regime seeks to appease the public and maintain social order. 

3. Third, new homes serve as a symbol of progress and prosperity under Kim’s rule. As described by state media, KCNA, “All the participants paid the highest tribute to Kim Jong Un who is ushering in a comprehensive development of a prosperous socialist country where all the people’s wishes are realized by ceaselessly creating great epochal changes and unprecedentedly great events with his rare wisdom and outstanding leadership.”

The completion ceremony featured a large-scale concert, jet flyovers and fireworks for the first time, which underscores the project's significance. KCNA reported that the latest construction “fully embodies the Party’s idea on architectural aesthetics and successfully combines the Juche, national, modern and artistic characters.” Kim’s attendance in an Aurus car, which was gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and participation in the tape-cutting event further emphasize its importance. The ceremony also featured a new song praising Kim as the nation’s “friendly father” working to ensure a “brighter future” for his people. State television later aired a music video for the new song featuring Kim interspersed with soldiers and citizens with more fervor and energy compared to similar videos. Following other recent boosts to his cult of personality, including ordering the making and praising of paintings and murals of himself, it is reported that writers were even instructed to create literature reflecting Kim’s greatness and were specifically ordered to include the “50,000 homes in Pyongyang” in their new creations.

NORTH KOREANS REMAIN HOMELESS AMIDST HOUSING BOOM

With the completion of Phase 2 in the Hwasong District, North Korea is nearing its goal of constructing 50,000 new homes by 2025. Almost 100 new buildings in muted brown, ivory and red brick color schemes now stand 10 to 20 stories high in the refurbished district. Shops and restaurants on the first floors of the buildings, with landscaped areas and park benches in front of them, can be seen on the main street. However, unlike other apartment buildings in Pyongyang, the new homes do not feature parking lots or underground garages, which suggests that authorities do not expect private car ownership to increase soon.

“The average North Korean citizen would likely and largely be excluded from the benefits of this project.”

While the regime touts its housing endeavor as a testament to the well-being of its citizens, the average North Korean citizen would likely and largely be excluded from the benefits of this project. The regime will likely determine who gets to move into these units based on factors such as one’s loyalty and songbun. For instance, those deemed loyal to the state, such as party members and military personnel, would likely be selected to reside in these apartments. State media images and videos also show significantly less busy streets compared to older residential areas in Pyongyang, raising questions over whether the new apartments have been fully occupied. Meanwhile, safety issues of the new buildings, which appear to have been built rapidly using hand-molded concrete bricks and rebar, pose concerns to experts, who described this construction method as one that leads to quick deterioration and a lack of proper insulation.

As the regime celebrates achieving its housing milestone for the third consecutive year, its citizens yearn for more than just a glimpse of the fireworks – they long for a place to call home.