"Floods Are a Thing of the Past," Says Smiling Kim Jong Un... But Holes Riddle the Embankment at His Feet

Exposed During Embankment Inspection
Experts Say, "Gaps Created by Rushed Construction"

A photo released by North Korea to highlight the efforts of State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un in disaster prevention has captured a scene that raises suspicions of shoddy construction.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un provided on-site guidance at the construction site of Wiwha Island Greenhouse Complex Farm and the permanent embankment construction sites in the Seom district of Sinuiju City and Uiju County on the 1st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 7th, Yonhap News Agency reported that traces of poor construction were visible in photos of Chairman Kim's inspection of the embankment construction sites in Sinuiju and Uiju County, which were published by the Korean Central News Agency on the 2nd.

According to the report, on the 1st, Chairman Kim inspected the embankment construction sites in Sinuiju and Uiju County. These areas experienced severe flooding a year ago, resulting in a large number of displaced residents.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un provided on-site guidance on the construction site of the Wiwha Greenhouse Comprehensive Farm and the permanent embankment construction site in the Seom District of Sinuiju City and Uiju County on the 1st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 2nd. A groove-like indentation is visible on the embankment under Chairman Kim's feet (highlighted with a red oval). Korean Central News Agency, Yonhap News Agency

During the inspection, Chairman Kim expressed his satisfaction, saying, "The flooding that residents here once regarded as their fate is now a thing of the past." The released photos show Chairman Kim standing on the embankment, smiling while listening to explanations from site officials.

However, under Chairman Kim's feet, a groove with several holes is visible on the embankment. A closer look at the area reveals that the blocks making up the embankment (revetment blocks) do not fit together properly, resulting in a row of gaps.

Experts suspect that in the rush to complete the project, the construction was carried out hastily and poorly. Ryu Yonguk, a professor of civil engineering at Chonnam National University, told Yonhap News Agency, "The blocks failed to interlock at the point where the revetment blocks from both directions met," and added, "Construction should have proceeded in one direction or with meticulous calculations, but it appears that significant gaps were created because the work was rushed." He also pointed out, "Although reinforcement will likely be carried out since construction is still ongoing, that section could remain relatively vulnerable."

Kang Jungoo, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, speculated, "Even though the gaps were filled with aggregate, there is a possibility that rain during the monsoon season washed it away, creating the groove."

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea and the end of the national five-year economic development plan. Accordingly, North Korea is pushing for rapid progress at industrial sites, but there are concerns that shoddy construction may continue to occur. North Korea is currently carrying out simultaneous construction projects nationwide, including the 20x10 regional development policy, the Pyongyang new city plan, aquaculture stations (fish farms), and greenhouse farms, mobilizing large numbers of military personnel.