Kim Jong-un Urges North Korea Region Reconstruction To Be Accelerated Floods

Leader Kim while inspecting the reconstruction site of North Korea's heavily flooded North Korean territory. (Source: KCNA)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for the rebuilding of houses in flood-hit areas in the northwest of the country to be accelerated, state media reported Monday.

Leader Kim delivered the statement during a "field guide" visit to flood-hit areas in North Pyongan Province on Sunday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

During the visit, Kim said that "all builders must complete the construction of housing at the highest level in the shortest possible time by deploying multiple efforts and sincerity to provide houses for people in flooded areas to live happily," Reuters reported on September 30.

Leader Kim reiterated that the quality of construction is not just a matter of handling the impact of natural disasters, but an important process in implementing regional development programs that are broadly out of reach from the party.

North Korea has prioritized economic development in underdeveloped provinces, following Kim's commitment to modernizing factories in 20 regions over the next decade. The country's "20-10 Regional Development Policy" aims to enhance what the regime calls the people's basic standard of material and culture.

This marks Kim's third visit to the rehabilitation site, following previous visits on July 28 and August 8-9.

It is known that heavy rains at the end of July inundated most areas along the Amnok River, with several South Korean media speculating that the number of people who died or disappeared could exceed 1,000 people.

Separately, South Korea's Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs noted that this latest inspection appeared to be intended to calm public sentiment, as well as raise morale among military officials and young workers involved in the housing project.

"It's a bit unusual for Kim to examine post-flood recovery efforts several times in such a short time," said Koo Byoung-sam, spokesman for the ministry, at a press conference.