North Korea is expanding nursing homes and welfare facilities for the elderly in rural areas. However, citizens are increasingly unhappy with the regime’s use of residents in propaganda efforts.<\/p>\n
“More family homes are being converted into small nursing homes in rural areas. Buildings near village party offices are typically chosen for these renovations. Elderly people without children to care for them can stay in these facilities,” a North Pyongan province source told Daily NK recently.<\/p>\n
Similar to South Korea, North Korea’s aging population has led to more nursing homes throughout the country. While these facilities have existed at provincial, municipal and county levels, they’re now appearing in villages too.<\/p>\n
Due to limited capacity, admission often depends on an individual’s career and societal contributions. An elderly person who worked at an ordinary company would likely struggle to secure placement.<\/p>\n
According to the source, eight elderly individuals are currently housed at a nursing home in a Kwaksan county village. This particular facility was established in the village party committee’s propaganda office.<\/p>\n
The source said that people are generally satisfied with conditions because they receive food and necessities from the county’s rationing center as well as free medical care. While at the nursing home, they don’t worry about their next meal.<\/p>\n
However, authorities are also using these elderly residents for regime propaganda, which many find troubling.<\/p>\n
Nursing home residents are required to participate in organizational lectures and “loyalty singing sessions” regularly held in the area. These events promote the socialist regime and the supreme leader’s supposed love for his people. Local citizens often express disapproval when seeing elderly people used this way.<\/p>\n
“Nursing home residents are paraded around like propaganda tools for various organizations. They’re pressured to talk about having no worries in old age thanks to the party’s care and to praise our socialist system’s superiority. Many people find it sad and shameful that these vulnerable elderly are being exploited for regime propaganda,” the source said.<\/p>\n
“While it’s positive that the government is creating more housing for elderly people without caretakers, forcing them to serve as propaganda mouthpieces goes too far,” the source added.<\/p>\n