An electricity hog: N. Korea’s Pyongyang Greenhouse Complex

One of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s top achievements is the construction of the Pyongyang Kangdong Comprehensive Greenhouse. Located in Bonghwa Village, Kangdong County, Pyongyang, the farm boasts world-class scientific technology and modern facilities. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Feb. 15, 2023, with Kim Jong Un in attendance. Just over a year later, on March 15, 2024, Kim and his daughter “Ju-ae” presided over a grand opening and operation ceremony, heavily promoted by North Korean media.

Recent high-resolution satellite images, thermal infrared, and nighttime light intensity images reveal the greenhouse farm’s operational status. The 260-hectare (642-acre) site, formerly an air force facility, now houses large-scale agricultural facilities. Heating is operational in the greenhouses, and lights remain on throughout the night to promote plant growth. The productivity and efficiency of this massive greenhouse farm, which consumes electricity all night for vegetable production on land that once grew grain crops, warrant examination.

Kangdong County’s Greenhouse Farm: An overview

High-resolution satellite images (30-centimeter resolution) from Maxar’s WorldView-3 taken in April show about 1,000 greenhouses on the 260-hectare (643-acre) site. The area, formerly an air force base, had its runway and facilities demolished to make way for modern soil cultivation and hydroponic greenhouses, along with supporting structures.

The greenhouse farm was built in Kangdong County to replace a large facility in Pyongyang’s Hwasong district that supplied vegetables to the city. The original greenhouses were demolished in 2021 to accommodate the construction of 50,000 housing units. The new, modernized complex was relocated to Bonghwa Village on the outskirts of Pyongyang.

North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that the Kangdong County farm features state-of-the-art hydroponic and soil cultivation greenhouses, as well as about 1,000 housing units, support facilities, schools and cultural centers.

Thermal Infrared Analysis

The analysis also revealed that barren mountains without forests emitted high heat, while forested areas showed lower surface temperatures, reinforcing the importance of forests in combating global warming.

Nighttime Light Intensity Analysis

Nighttime light intensity images show the greenhouse farm illuminated even at 1:30 a.m., suggesting the use of ultraviolet lighting to promote plant growth. This practice has been observed monthly since the facility’s opening on March 15.

Questionable priorities in North Korea’s giant greenhouse operation

North Korea faces chronic power shortages, with even Pyongyang suffering from unreliable electricity. Elevators in apartments often do not work, which means people prefer lower floors. Water supply is inconsistent, and during hot weather, many North Koreans rely on natural shade and wind for cooling.

The extensive use of electricity for greenhouse lighting raises questions about priorities. While people struggle with primitive living conditions, vegetables receive preferential treatment with all-night-long artificial lighting.

Moreover, the intended beneficiaries of these vegetables are unclear. Despite claims of providing fresh produce to mountain village residents year-round, reports suggest that high-quality vegetables are first sent to the central government, with officials taking much of the remainder, leaving little for ordinary citizens.

Kangdong County’s greenhouse farm, along with similar facilities in North Hamgyong and South Hamgyong provinces, occupies a total area of 740 hectares (1,828 acres) – 2.6 times the size of Yeouido in Seoul. This includes former farmland and military facilities.

The value of replacing farmland with vegetable greenhouses is questionable. While vegetables are part of a balanced diet, they cannot replace the sustenance provided by rice, barley, corn and potatoes. People can survive on grains alone if necessary, but not on vegetables.

North Korea continues to face chronic food shortages requiring international aid. In this context, dedicating land, electricity, fuel, labor and time to vegetable production seems wasteful and extravagant. The urgent priority should be producing life-sustaining grains.

The world’s largest greenhouse complex, consuming precious electricity throughout the night, appears to primarily benefit the Kim family, high-ranking party officials, and Pyongyang’s upper class, while ordinary citizens continue to struggle with hunger.

July 31, 2024 at 07:00AM

by DailyNK(North Korean Media)