Even in North Korea, 'Igeot' Enjoyed Every Night... Changing Nightlife Culture

North Korean Propaganda Media Introduce Unique Commercial Facilities in Busy Districts
New Towns Built Annually Recently... Interiors Not Disclosed

Local propaganda media have reported that North Korea's nightlife is changing as a variety of unique commercial facilities are being established in the 'New Town' of Pyongyang.

North Korean media, including the organ of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), Choson Sinbo, recently introduced establishments such as Hwaseong Daedonggang Beer House, Hwaseonggak, and Changgwang Fireworks Viewing Shop located in new residential complexes in Pyongyang, including Hwaseong Street and Rimheung Street.

Hwaseong Daedonggang Beer House, located on Rimheung Street, a bustling area in the Hwaseong district, is a distinctive two-story building. The two gate pillars supporting the awning are shaped like Daedonggang beer bottles, accompanied by a beer glass overflowing with foam.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The interior evokes a Western-style pub. Choson Sinbo explained, "The first floor is designed so that sitting in the hall feels like being inside a giant beer barrel." It also reported, "Customers enjoy drinking beer while overlooking the rare new street scene and the night view filled with dazzling lights from the cool outdoor terrace."

Changgwang Fireworks Viewing Shop is a fireworks supply store on Rimheung Street. Opened in May, it sells about 30 types of fireworks and is a popular spot not only for Pyongyang residents but also visitors from other regions. At the time of opening, it was reported on Korean Central TV that the shop sold model fireworks shaped like the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwaseong-17.

Hwaseonggak is a mega-sized restaurant on Hwaseong Street with a site area of about 26,000 square meters and seating capacity exceeding 1,000. It is similar to Okryugwan, a representative restaurant operated by the Korea Okryu Trading Corporation, North Korea's foreign trade agency. It sells various dishes such as Pyongyang cold noodles and bulgogi and also hosts weddings.

Since announcing in 2021 that it would build a total of 50,000 households in Pyongyang at a rate of 10,000 households per year, North Korea has been creating new towns annually. The Songsin and Songhwa districts were completed in 2022, the first phase of Hwaseong district in 2023, and the second phase of Hwaseong district this year.

However, unlike the promotion of various commercial facilities in the new towns, reports introducing the interiors of the apartments are relatively rare.