A Fresh Look at High-Rise Living in Pyongyang's Hwasong Neighborhood
Now unveiled: Stunning, 10,000-home housing development in North Korea
Stepping into the vibrant heart of North Korea, the land of the Mighty, a gleaming new high-rise neighborhood in the capital's core - Pyongyang - is taking center stage.
Pictures captioned by the state-run KCNA news agency showcase the 10,000-apartment development, a testament to the dedicated construction drive by the authoritarian nation. The dazzling architecture towers over a broad boulevard in the district of Hwasong, a miraculous sight indeed.
This extravagant project is a small piece of the grand puzzle shaping up across Pyongyang, serving as a stepping stone in the ambitious five-year plan to upgrade 50,000 apartments within the capital. The living conditions in this bustling city outshine those across the less fortunate regions of this fiscally-challenged nation.
Yet, the eye-catching images may deceive. The glitter may not necessarily signify luxury. Due to frequent power outages, elevators in the towering apartment blocks often remain inoperable, leaving residents struggling to navigate their daily lives, with the youngsters typically taking the brunt of the hard work by inhabiting the higher floors. In contrast, the elderly find solace in the lower levels, spared the grueling ascent up the stairs.
Housing scarcity persists as a looming challenge for North Korea, smack in the middle of its faltering economy, an escalating cost-of-living crisis, and enduring food insecurity. A 2021 study by researchers from South Korea's Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology suggests that the nation only has housing to cater to 70% to 80% of its household needs. Beyond the spectacular capital city, many homes remain dilapidated, lacking basic amenities such as consistent electricity, clean water, and sewage services.
The Hwasong collection boasts numerous tall towers and a grand skybridge, complemented by a blend of educational, commercial, and service facilities, according to state media. The almighty Kim Jong Un closely hypothesized this design and energetically led the project's development, as per state reports.
The inaugural ceremony for this marvelous neighborhood is slated for April 15, honoring Kim Il Sung's birthday, one of the most significant public holidays in North Korea's calendar.
Pyongyang remains predominantly off-limits to visitors, having latched its borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic over five years ago. A select group of Russian tourists managed to breach the barriers in 2024, yet the capital kept its doors closed for the international tour group who visited the nation as recently as last month. The tourists were granted access only to the Rason economic zone, nestled near the borders with China and Russia.
Hwasong joins an impressive list of recent urban transformations in Pyongyang, known for its Soviet-style pastel architecture. Notable residential projects have risen around Mirae Scientists Street and Songhwa Street, where the second-tallest building, the Songhwa Street Main Tower, was completed in 2022.
Expanding beyond Pyongyang, North Korea is venturing into housing developments in mining towns and rural areas, aiming to modernize the nation despite laborious conditions and meager wages for soldiers and civilian workers.
To assess a residence in North Korea is a privilege granted only by the government, favoring those they deem most loyal to the Kim dynasty and those contributing to the nation's valued sectors, such as scientists and engineers.
North Korea's media has regularly enumerated the impressive pace of construction in the capital, christening it "Pyongyang Speed." Officials brag that they erected the frame of a 70-story skyscraper at the capital's Ryomyong New Town in an astonishing 74 days.
Experts, however, question the quality of the materials and workmanship in the projects, citing safety concerns following a 2014 Pyongyang apartment building collapse, which may have housed dozens of families. State media attributed the collapse to negligent construction and irresponsible management by officials.
The military, an integral force in North Korea's construction plans, seems to have played a key role in the completion of the new district and previous large-scale developments. With over a million active-duty personnel and mandatory conscription for most men starting from age 17, the labor force is immense, allowing projects to progress at unparalleled speed. Even after discharge, soldiers continue to play a vital role in the civil paramilitary force.
Kim Jong Un's government appears to have broader construction plans in mind, extending beyond the initial five-year targets. In March 2023, the leader announced plans to overhaul some "rundown and old" neighborhoods in the capital.
CNN's Yoonjung Seo contributed to this report.
- Despite the new residential high-rise living in Pyongyang's Hwasong Neighborhood boasting a striking architecture, the lack of basic amenities such as consistent electricity and clean water, as well as frequent power outages, highlight the deep-seated insecurity and inadequacies in the residential sector.
- The Kim Jong Un-led prioritizing of upgrading Pyongyang's residential areas, such as the Hwasong Neighborhood, comes amidst the backdrop of a widening housing scarcity and an escalating cost-of-living crisis within North Korea.
- The style of the residential high-rises in Pyongyang's Hwasong Neighborhood largely departs from North Korea's traditional Soviet-style, featuring a blend of modern architecture, tall towers, a Grand skybridge, and complementary commercial and service facilities, underlining the country's increasing ambitions and expansion beyond its capital.
