Kangwon Province has been ordered by the North Korean cabinet to speed up the development of the Mount Kumgang tourism area, Daily NK has learned.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source in Kangwon Province told Daily NK Thursday that the Kangwon Province People’s Committee received instructions on Apr. 18 to take the initiative in finding materials and workers for the development project.
“Kangwon Province has continued to receive instructions since last year to work harder and faster on demolishing the run-down structures in the Mount Kumgang tourism area and to build new structures in the North Korean style,” the source said.
The North Korean cabinet emphasized that while the development of the Mount Kumgang tourism area is important for developing the provincial economy, its main value and focus is developing the national economy. The cabinet also asked the provincial authorities to make regular reports on the status of the construction.
In addition, the cabinet mentioned securing a stable supply of construction materials and lining up the workers needed for the project. In connection with that, the cabinet asked the provincial authorities to keep tabs on the supply of necessary materials, including steel and cement, and to inform the cabinet of what is needed in advance.
The cabinet added that even for projects in which the state is supposed to supply the materials, the state needs to receive detailed reports about progress on construction if it is to provide the necessary backing.
The cabinet asked the provincial authorities to mobilize as many workers within the province as possible, both on a regular and occasional basis, to provide the workforce required for the construction project.
“The cabinet said it expects the development project at the Mount Kumgang tourist area will bring in foreign investment and revitalize the tourism industry because the area has the strategic goal of attracting international tourists from such countries as China and Russia. In addition, the cabinet stressed that developing the Mount Kumgang tourism area will boost the economic independence of Kangwon Province, opening a path for the province to take the lead in regional development,” the source said.
“While the cabinet asked Kangwon Province to develop independent ways of strengthening its administrative and economic capabilities for the development of the Mount Kumgang tourist area, it reiterated the government’s commitment to providing the necessary financial and policy support,” the source said.
But officials on the Kangwon Province People’s Committee and residents of the province are horrified by the thought of all the inconvenience and hardship they will have to undergo until development on the Mount Kumgang tourism area is complete.
“Officials and citizens in the province dread the prospect of reliving the nightmare of the grueling construction on the Masik Pass ski resort. The cabinet’s orders have been widely distributed, and the ‘storm troop’ work crews have already been selected. The most grievances are being voiced by work crews from the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea,” the source said.
Translated by David Carruth. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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April 29, 2024 at 07:30AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)