The North Korean government has been investing considerable resources to modernize Samjiyon County hoping to transform it into a model city nestled between mountains. However, Daily NK sources have reported that the exteriors and top floors of some buildings already constructed in the area are being demolished and rebuilt due to discrepancies with the original designs.
“The construction of the residential apartments was almost finished, but there were orders to demolish and completely rebuild them,” said the Ryanggang Province-based source on October 26.
“The engineers and workers involved in the construction are appalled at the orders handed down by the construction management team (referred to as the February 16 Division).”
According to a separate source in Ryanggang Province, Party officials said that the tops of the buildings are supposed to form a five-pointed star when viewed from an airplane. When the officials took a plane ride over the buildings, the five-pointed star shape was deemed not to be clear enough.
“They ordered a total redesign of the buildings that were at least five stories tall,” he said.
“The construction teams are totally demolishing buildings that have their frames already built.”
In August, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the construction site for the Hyesan-Samjiyon railway, a component of the Samjiyon modernization project, and pointed out deficiencies in the construction of the track bed. The North Korean authorities then reinforced the track bed, requiring a rebuild of the entire railway.
As Kim visited construction sites for power plants in July and August earlier this year, he severely criticized the “operational attitude” of the Party officials involved in guiding economic construction. These officials now appear to be responding to the criticism by taking extreme measures to ensure all construction projects are flawless.
There is also the possibility that Kim flew over the apartment buildings in Samjiyon during the final day of the recent inter-Korean summit and noticed problems with the construction.
“Construction workers are complaining about having to demolish buildings just because the roofs are not satisfactory,” said another source in Ryanggang Province.
“It seems ridiculous to them because massive amounts of resources and labor went into constructing the buildings.”
Construction teams in the area are desperate to secure more construction materials following the reconstruction order. The teams will have to complete the construction throughout the winter because high-level officials have ordered the work to be done as quickly as possible. Samjiyon sees temperatures of -30 degrees Celsius and below during the winter, the source reported.
“Local residents blindly follow the orders from above. Sadly, they have to unconditionally jump when the authorities say jump,” he explained.
“While the exteriors will end up looking alright, the reconstruction process will likely lead to poor-quality interiors due to a lack of resources.”
Unification Academy Director Kang Sin Sam told Daily NK that as Samjiyon has garnered attention due to Kim Jong Un and President Moon Jae In’s visit to Mt. Paektu, North Korean officials are paying a lot more attention to the details of the construction projects.
“Kim has criticized issues inherent in the Party’s organizational structure during his on-the-spot visits, so officials are being careful,” Kang said.
