As North Korea prepares for the 7th Party Congress, Kim Jong Un has introduced and emphasized a concept dubbed ¡°Mallima Speed¡± to urge expediency to workers around the country. North Korea¡¯s state-run publication, Rodong Sinmun, recently ran an article about the construction of Ryomyong (daybreak) Street, stressing the ¡°will and determination¡± exhibited by the shock brigade¡¯s young men in their efforts.

However, the poor work conditions at construction sites and likelihood of a fatal accident befalling the mobilized workers are well known at home and abroad, with special concern placed on the young men in the so-called ¡°Youth Shock Brigade for Speed Construction." 

According to defectors, the ¡°Youth Shock Brigade for Speed Construction [YSB]¡± works on sites and structures that have propaganda, revolutionary, or historical significance. For a time, the unit produced masses of socialist heroes and meritorious individuals. For this reason, young people in the past were driven to sign up to work at the construction sites in order to distinguish themselves, earn a letter of recommendation to go to university, join the Korean Workers¡¯ Party, or enter into the military. It was known as a path to success.

The situation began to change dramatically after a famine struck in the mid 1990s. From a lack of basic necessities and foodstuffs, the number of residents who suffered from starvation and disease increased. Residents were in no mood to do back breaking labor at construction sites with insufficient equipment under such conditions. Thus, public opinion of the YSB plummeted. Even a handsome bribe was insufficient to induce young residents to join up.

In particular, safety standards are sorely lacking at the sites where this works. As a result, there was no end to the number of casualties from landslides and explosions. In addition, authorities give no special provisions or treatment during the bitter cold, which has led to a number of mobilized shock troopers getting frostbite on their hands and feet.

Mr. Park (pseudonym), a defector with experience working in a Pyongyang branch of the YSB, told Daily NK, ¡°During my time in the YSB, they used to fill a large cement tank with buckwheat, unwashed cabbage, and radishes. It was turned into a soup and preserved with rock salt. After the wheat was boiled, it was whacked and stirred with a spade, causing the wheat to swell up. We were rationed about two spoonfuls of it at a time.¡±

Mr. Park continued, ¡°Necessities like toiletries and uniforms were provided, but the fabric of the clothes was similar to woven hemp. We also got underwear, but this was also made from the same inferior materials.¡±

Another defector spoke about his YSB experience on the condition of anonymity, stating that the workers slept 100 to a room, which had only one bathroom. ¡°The ceiling was so low,¡± he said, ¡±you could brush your head up against it.¡±

The two YSB veterans both attested to the fact that with such inadequate provisions, they were forced to steal in order to survive.  ¡°If you didn¡¯t steal you couldn¡¯t survive. So we all resorted to stealing,¡± he explained, recounting a time when he once followed some superiors in his unit to the Pyongyang Textile Factory and stole from the chili pepper field there. They were subsequently caught in the act and beaten severely.

He continued, ¡°Because of these difficult conditions, the YSB became known to residents as a pack of outrageous kids. As soon as they saw our uniforms, they were on guard. From a different angle, there were a high amount of homeless children, known as kkotjebi, in our ranks, so we were also regarded with pity.¡±

In response to the regime¡¯s "70-Day Battle" to prepare for the Party Congress, the YSB has been laboring day and night on the verge of total exhaustion in order to construct the "Supreme Leader¡¯s achievements." This has already led to a surge in worksite fatalities, but the regime has not slowed down or provided due compensation to the victims¡¯ families.

Mr. Park said, ¡°Even when someone dies on site, the project has to continue.¡± The other defector corroborated, saying, ¡°There is no atmosphere of condolence or sympathy on the worksite after someone dies. 

He added, ¡°When I was part of the YSB shock, I didn¡¯t have access to proper medical treatment. If you say you¡¯re sick, they definitely do not send you to the hospital. They take a cursory glance at the problem and say, ¡®Here, take an aspirin or some Chinese painkillers,¡¯ but they never give you more than two pills.¡±