North Korea is repairing embankments and waterways in Ryanggang province as part of large-scale preparations for heavy rains in July and August. Just as in previous years, locals are expected to pay for the materials themselves.
“Flood prevention work is underway in all cities and counties throughout the province, including Hyesan, on orders from the Central Committee. Workers from factories, enterprises, farms and neighborhood watch units have all been mobilized for the work,” a source in the province told Daily NK on Tuesday.
North Korea is calling for thorough precautions given the severe damage caused by flooding in the northern border regions around North Pyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces following heavy rains in July 2024.
While the entire local population has been mobilized for flood prevention, the central government has not provided any of the necessary equipment or materials, the source said.
“The government has ordered everyone at factories, enterprises, farms and neighborhood watch units to show their patriotism by working together to prevent flood damage. But workers on the ground are being ordered to carry out the projects without being provided any materials or equipment. Each worksite is expected to source its own materials this year, just as in the past,” the source said.
Locals mobilized for flood prevention are voicing complaints about the authorities’ negligence. “They’re always just giving orders without doing anything that would actually be helpful,” one griped.
The source quoted one Hyesan resident as saying, “Each year, we’re told again and again to prevent accidents, but never once have they sent us the materials or equipment needed to actually prevent harm. Once again, locals have to carry their own shovels and pickaxes down to the river.”
As if expecting locals to buy their tools out of pocket weren’t bad enough, the Hyesan resident said that every neighborhood watch unit in the city has been ordered to bring two 25-kilogram sacks of dirt and gravel mixture and 15,000 North Korean won for purchasing the materials needed to lay concrete.
While embankment construction in border districts such as Hyesan and Kim Jong Suk county along the Yalu River is largely complete, there are still countless areas that need work. Officials in the relevant government offices are pushing locals to prepare for the heavy rains that are common in the summer months.
There is undoubtedly a human component to North Korea’s disastrous floods. Reckless deforestation and a haphazard approach to disaster prevention makes flood damage worse, both great and small. Nevertheless, the regime is content to issue detached orders and take halfhearted action.
Whenever flood damage occurs, the regime focuses on blaming low-level officials while giving little thought to more fundamental measures. Even North Koreans criticize the regime’s continuing failure to address the root causes of flooding.
“Last year, there was extensive damage from heavy rains and flooding, and now we’re back in summer. But once again, the authorities are running their mouths while leaving all the work for the local community. There’s little chance of the work being done properly. The continuing lack of meaningful action or assistance reveals the government’s complacency and negligence,” the source said.
