A hotel in Kangmun District that has been observed under construction from Dandong, Liaoning Province, appears likely to be part of Kim Jong Un’s overall construction plans for Sinuiju. That the building’s construction is in full view of foreign observers suggests that the regime is aiming to use it as part of efforts to idolize the Kim family.
“One of the hotel’s buildings is being built in a circular fashion and a Party official that I asked about it said that [this section of the building] was aimed at commemorating the Suryong (Kim Il Sung),” said a North Pyongan Province-based source.
North Korea idolizes Kim Il Sung as the “Sun of the Nation.” His birthday, April 15, is called the “Day of the Sun,” and his preserved body is on permanent display in the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.
“The hotel doesn’t have a name yet, but it will likely be related to Kim Il Sung. I’ve also heard that buildings on either side of the hotel have been made to look like Mount Paektu,” the source continued, explaining what appears to be an attempt to pay homage to the Paektu bloodline, in reference to Kim Il Sung’s family.
He added that the authorities are also placing emphasis on idolizing the regime in development plans for Sinuiju, which are largely focused on making the city more attractive to tourists. The developments will try to encourage tourism while also aiming to strengthen internal cohesion through buildings and sites that idolize the Kim family.
A massive amount of money has gone into construction of the hotel; upwards of 50-60 million RMB. The building’s middle floors accommodate a hotel, while the lower floors will be reserved for businesses. The hotel is estimated for completion by early 2020, according to a source in China close to North Korean affairs.
“Construction projects that are part of the wider developmental plans for Sinuiju have already begun Apartments near Sinuiju Youth Railway Station were demolished in May last year and the residents were moved elsewhere. The state promised to provide them with new apartments to live in,” she said.
Daily NK previously reported that the North Korean authorities have plans to beautify the city as a tourist attraction by building various high-rise apartments and businesses on either side of the road that leads into the city from the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge.
There are also reported plans to build around 50 apartment buildings along with around ten world-class hotels higher than 20 stories each in the city. However, there are concerns that the North Korean authorities may be overreaching in their ambitions, given the continued international sanctions in place.
“Construction officials completed their plans after the Sinuiju International Economic Zone plan was announced in 2016,” an additional source in North Pyongan Province reported.
“After realizing that Kim Jong Un was very interested in the development projects, they likely figured they needed to hurry up and complete their new plans for the city.”
