North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of new flats in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang on February 16, 2025. The event coincided with the birthday of his late father, Kim Jong Il, a day recognized nationally as the Day of the Shining Star. Kim Jong Un's presence underscored his commitment to enhancing North Korea's housing infrastructure as part of an extensive plan to develop 50,000 new homes in Pyongyang.
Kim Jong Un took significant steps to mark the birthday of his father by visiting the Kumsusan Palace of Sun for the first time in four years. Accompanied by his sister, Kim Yo Jong, he paid respects at this family mausoleum, which houses the embalmed bodies of both his father and grandfather. This visit was notable as it highlighted the ongoing influence of the Kim dynasty, which has ruled North Korea since its inception after World War Two.
The groundbreaking ceremony in Hwasong marked the final phase of Kim's ambitious housing project, launched in 2021 as a pillar of his five-year economic plan. Designed to provide at least 10,000 new apartments annually in Pyongyang, this initiative aims to "usher in a new era of prosperity of Pyongyang in which the ideal streets of the people to be proud of in the world are built every year," according to KCNA. The project underscores Kim Jong Un's strategy to stand independently and lead North Korea forward without solely relying on the legacy of his predecessors.
Kim Jong Un praised construction workers and officials for their impressive achievements in advancing the housing project. He noted that they had accomplished nearly 400 percent more progress last year compared to 2020. Building on this momentum, Kim pledged to continue expanding the city, reinforcing his dedication to economic growth and modernization.
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