A new culture is emerging along the Yalu River in Sinuiju, where people gather nightly to dance, picnic and read books in parks built after last year’s devastating floods.
According to a Daily NK source in North Pyongan province recently, as the weather has turned cooler, people are flocking daily to parks, amusement areas and walking paths built along Sinuiju’s Yalu River banks.
The source said people exhausted from summer work and labor mobilizations are now heading to the riverbank each evening to enjoy cool breezes and relieve fatigue. Everyone expresses joy at these moments of respite, the source added.
People are enjoying “riverside picnics,” bringing mats and lunch boxes to share simple meals with family and friends. The amusement areas feature food stalls selling drinks and lamb skewers, plus children’s rides that create a festive atmosphere.
The source noted that while food stalls are available, people can fully enjoy outings with packed meals, dancing to music and feeling river breezes without spending money.
Photos obtained by Daily NK show people dancing joyfully. Adults dance while children play ball, with strangers naturally mingling together, the source said.
After last year’s floods, Sinuiju underwent housing construction, road repaving and park development, initially causing complaints about extra costs and forced labor. Parks were seen as luxuries only wealthy people could enjoy, sparking criticism about the construction projects.
But once completed, the parks created an inclusive atmosphere where anyone can enjoy the space regardless of economic status, completely changing public opinion.
“There are still more people who can’t come to the park due to lack of means, but having a place where you can rest and feel a free atmosphere, even briefly, is a great comfort,” the source said. The source expressed hope for more such parks where people can enjoy themselves without judgment.
A new trend has also emerged of people reading books on park benches along the Yalu River. The source said outdoor reading was previously rare, but many now leisurely read in the parks. Book vendors have capitalized on this trend, lending books for a 30,000 won deposit plus 1,000 won per hour, earning decent profits from the increased park attendance.
