NK scientists to get luxury houses

By Yi Whan-woo

North Korea is reportedly building a luxurious residential complex in Pyongyang for its scientists, engineers, professors and other skilled workers involved in nuclear development.

The country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, ordered the construction of the complex, named Ryomyong Street, following the harshest sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) in March.

In a recently published interview with Pyongyang’s propaganda magazine, Kim Jin-sung, a senior construction manager, said the complex will mainly consist of 40 apartment buildings, including skyscrapers, and 60 other buildings offering various services.

He said the workers are “speeding up” efforts to meet the construction deadline set by the North Korean leader.

Kim ordered the construction to be completed by the end of this year when he announced the plan for Ryomyong Street in March.

It will be built in addition to Changjun Street and Mirae (Future) Scientists Street, two other landmark sites constructed in the North Korean capital since Kim took power in December 2011.

“The apartments include high-rise buildings that have 35 stories, 40 stories, 50 stories, 55 stories, and even 70 stories,” Kim Jin-sung said. “The 60 other buildings will include daycare centers, nursery schools, drycleaners and post offices.”

He admitted he does not have any relevant experience in building skyscrapers but is not concerned.

“The success of the project is guaranteed, given that other workers have abundant experience from construction of Changjun Street and Mirae Scientists Street,” he said.

Ryomyong Street will be between Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the preserved remains of the late Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are on display, and Ryonghung crossroads.

“We plan to set up grand and splendid skyscrapers alongside Ryonghung crossroads while constructing tiny buildings near Kumsusan in respect of the palace,” he said. “We’ll consider other geographic characteristics as well in our project.”

The manager said the workers were impressed by the young leader’s plan.

“No one except for our leader would come up with such an ambitious thought in the peak of suppression against us by the U.S.-led forces,” he said. “We’re rushing to complete the construction as scheduled.”

Analysts remained skeptical about Ryomyong Street, saying that North Korea’s economic difficulties have deepened since the UNSC’s latest sanctions took hold.

“Those construction projects are intended to show off Kim Jong-un’s achievements but the more important thing for him is to feed his impoverished people well,” said An Chan-il, the head of the World Institute for North Korea Studies.

Sources familiar with North Korea have claimed the repressive regime has been pocketing money from Pyongyang citizens while forcing residents outside the city to collect and turn in metal and other construction materials.

“Pyongyang citizens are asked to turn in $50 per household beginning in early June to carry out the construction of Ryomyong Street,” a source said on condition of anonymity. “I’ve been told that those in North Pyongan Province had to donate household goods.”