Kim Jong Un’s Vision for North Korea: A Glimpse Into the New Smart City

The construction site of the second phase of North Korea’s version of a “new city,” the Hwasong District, has been unveiled. Kim Jong Un also visited to draw attention.

According to North Korea’s state-run media, the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of 10,000 households in the second phase of the Hwasong District in Pyongyang on the 5th, as it nears completion.

After inspecting the area, Kim remarked, “It’s evident that the architectural aesthetics of the Party have been meticulously adhered to,” and commended that “(the second phase of the Hwasong District) has been constructed to avoid duplication and distinguish itself from the first phase.”

The houses in the Hwasong District resemble apartments in South Korea in their external appearance, echoing the landscapes of new cities such as Dongtan and Hwasong. Propaganda slogans like “Power of Patriotism” and “Power of Unity” adorn the tops of the apartments. However, details about the interiors have not been disclosed.

Parks were also established, and signs indicating to be shops were attached to the buildings.

Kim also instructed officials while examining a model plan on an empty road.

Previously, Kim Jong Un unveiled a five-year plan for national economic development during the 8th Workers’ Party Congress in January 2021, committing to constructing 50,000 households in Pyongyang at a rate of 10,000 annually.

Accordingly, 10,000 households were erected in the Songshin and Songhwa Districts in 2021, and the first phase of the Hwasong District was completed in 2022. Residents began moving into the first phase last April. Notably, completion of the initial phase occurred just over a year after the groundbreaking in February 2022, raising concerns regarding construction quality.

Construction of 10,000 households in the third phase of the Hwasong District, which started this year, is anticipated to be completed around this time next year, and the fourth phase is scheduled to commence next year.

So, who will occupy the second phase of the Hwasong District?

While North Korea portrays that “ordinary” working-class individuals like company employees and former soldiers are among those benefiting from the new housing developments in Pyongyang, the reality is that apartments are only allocated to a fraction of the population.

According to interviews with defectors, some residences are provided free of charge to individuals classified as national priority supply targets, such as scientists, former military officers, and those recognized as national meritorious persons. However, a portion of the housing units intended for workers reportedly enter the market for sale through agreements with affluent individuals.

On this occasion, Kim Jong Un was seen traveling in his official vehicle, a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Accompanying him was Hyun Song-wol, who was responsible for overseeing Kim Jong Un’s protocol and was observed following Kim Jong Un while using her cell phone.

The Ministry of Unification interpreted this as a means for delivering reports or urgent messages from the Secretariat (Kim Jong Un’s secretariat) through Hyun Song Wol.