In North Pyongan province, construction crews are working at a feverish pace to build levees before the summer rains arrive. Following last year’s devastating floods, authorities have mobilized thousands of workers in an unprecedented effort to strengthen flood defenses along the Yalu River.
“Levee construction is happening everywhere along the Yalu River—in Sangdan and Hadan villages in Sinuiju, and in Soho village and Wihwa island in Uiju county,” a source in the area told Daily NK recently. “The authorities now care more about building these levees than even their greenhouse farm projects.”
While official propaganda emphasizes the renovation of Sinuiju as an “advanced city” with large greenhouse farms and vegetable research facilities, resources have clearly been redirected toward flood prevention. The urgency stems from fears among officials that another flood disaster could cost them their positions—or worse.
Construction sites buzz with activity as workers receive constant orders to build structures “that could last 100 years,” with party officials personally monitoring progress. Military construction units and civilian work brigades labor without breaks, even during rainy days. In Ojok village in Uiju county, which suffered severe flooding last year, over 1,000 personnel are racing to complete 3-meter-high levees before the rainy season begins in early July.
Photos obtained in early April show long lines of workers transporting materials like mortar and gravel. They work from dawn until dusk on foundational construction for the levees.
“Levee repairs happen every year, but never with this many people and this much equipment,” the source noted. “You can feel they’re more worried than ever before.”
The extraordinary effort reflects genuine concern rather than mere show. “If floods occur again like last year, more than a few heads will roll,” the source added. “They’re doing proper construction on these levees to ensure they’re as good as possible.”
The intensive construction effort isn’t limited to Sinuiju and Uiju, but extends along the entire border region following the Yalu River.
