North Pyongan province has sent party labor brigades to flood-ravaged areas along the Yalu River for recovery efforts. Families in these areas, already struggling, now face the added burden of supporting mobilized husbands.
A source in North Pyongan province, speaking anonymously to Daily NK, said the province, declared a special disaster zone, “is giving its all to recovery work, reducing even all political activities.” The province shortened Saturday lectures for officials on Aug. 3, opting for written reviews to focus on recovery efforts.
The North Pyongan party committee urged officials to limit Saturday political events, focusing instead on flood recovery efforts and organizing on-site labor brigades.
The committee aims to “quickly build nicer roads and homes than before with the province’s own resources.” Labor brigade members pledged to lead recovery efforts, working 24-hour shifts on-site.
Mobilization a major burden for families
Sinuiju residents expressed shock as even flood-affected household heads were mobilized for recovery efforts.
“Families lack food, clothing and fuel,” the source said. “With household heads in labor brigades and families having to support them, it’s an enormous burden.”
Families must provide food for their mobilized members, as laborers receive inadequate rations on-site.
Families prepare corn flour, oil, syrup and chili powder for their mobilized members, despite their own post-flood hardships.
“The party committee promised to support laborers,” the source said. “But flood-affected families still have to support their mobilized members. People complain that authorities encourage work without providing help.”
North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun reported on Aug. 2 that party organizations were “filled with volunteering enthusiasm” following news of the 22nd emergency meeting of the Political Bureau. Party member regiments were being organized for disaster-afflicted areas.
On Aug. 6, the paper reported a meeting of the Pyongyang Municipal Regiment of Party Members for flood rehabilitation projects. The regiment vowed to “show the true picture of the country that advances in the face of crises” and report victory to the party’s Central Committee.
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
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