First Mention in September Municipal Address
Early October: "Suryongnim's Last Will"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, has reportedly reiterated his directive to construct a "North Korean-style Grand Canal." This plan, a "dream" passed down from former leaders Chairman Kim Il-sung to National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il, aims to connect the East and West Seas to spur economic development. However, considering the complexity of civil engineering works, it is anticipated that the project will be difficult to realize with North Korea's current technological capabilities and capital.
The Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the 20th in an article titled "The Grand Design for the Construction of the Grand Canal Unfolded Amidst the Flames of War" that General Secretary Kim mentioned the canal construction issue in early last month.
The newspaper stated that Kim said in early last month, "Constructing a canal connecting the East and West Seas is the great leader's last instructions," and added, "We must make the great leader's dream from 70 years ago a reality at all costs."
Earlier, in his policy speech at the Supreme People's Assembly in September, General Secretary Kim expressed his determination for the canal construction for the first time, saying, "We must put national strength into prospective economic projects, including the construction of a grand canal connecting the East and West Seas, and surely achieve success." Since the supreme leader mentioned the same issue again within a month, it is possible that the related plans have become somewhat concrete.
In the past, Chairman Kim Il-sung said in an April 1952 speech at Kim Il-sung University, "I often think about whether we can build a canal to connect the East Sea and the West Sea," and National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il mentioned in 1968 during a talk with officials from the land, sea, and air transport sectors, "In countries without seas and rivers, canals are deliberately constructed to develop water transportation." Given that former supreme leaders also showed determination to build a canal connecting the East and West Seas, the blueprint is likely somewhat drawn.
Alongside this, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) suggested the possibility of connecting the Daedong River to the Yesong River or the Daedong River to the Cheongcheon River in an article the day before.
The news agency introduced that Chairman Kim Il-sung said, "If a canal is constructed, the Daedong River can be connected to the Yesong River or the Cheongcheon River, and if the upper reaches of the Daedong River and Yesong River are connected by a canal, transportation issues in this area can be smoothly resolved." It also recalled that Chairman Kim frequently mentioned, "Whenever I look at the map of our country, I often think about whether a canal can be constructed between the upper reaches of the Daedong River and Yongheung River or between the upper reaches of the Imjin River and Deokji River to connect the East Sea and the West Sea."
The Daedong River originates in the northeastern part of South Pyongan Province, Yongheung River in Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province, Imjin River in Deokwon County, South Hamgyong Province, and Deokji River begins at the border between South Hamgyong Province and South Pyongan Province. Although General Secretary Kim did not explicitly specify the construction sections in his September policy speech and October remarks, it is presumed that the areas mentioned by KCNA are under consideration.
However, considering the difficulty of civil engineering works, it is expected that advanced technology, equipment, capital, and manpower will be required, making it challenging for the project to be properly realized.
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