North Korea Unveils a Small ‘Manhattan’ With 10,000 New Apartments. The Question Is What Lies Beyond the Facade

North Korea plans to open its doors (well, a small fraction) to foreign countries as part of its economic plan for 2025. The extent of this will depend not only on the North Korean government but also on the reactions of other nations and the ability to attract foreign tourists. The southern city of Wonsan is expected to play a pivotal role in defining this expansion. As for the locals, there’s good news: The country is developing a new mega-district in the capital, although it won’t be accessible to everyone.

Hwasong and beyond. North Korea proudly announced the construction of a new 10,000-apartment residential district in Pyongyang. This Manhattan-like ambitious project symbolizes both the regime’s propaganda efforts and some of its internal contradictions. Located in the Hwasong district, the new neighborhood features towering skyscrapers and wide avenues. It’s been presented through North Korea’s state news agency KCNA as evidence of leader Kim Jong Un’s commitment to improving living standards in urban areas.

The official inauguration is set for April 15. This date isn’t coincidental. It marks the birth of Kim Il Sung, the country’s founder and Kim Jong Un’s grandfather. The new complex represents the third phase of an ambitious five-year plan announced in 2021, aiming to build 50,000 apartments in the capital. This goal is part of a larger initiative to renew infrastructure in a country struggling with poverty, international isolation, and a faltering economy.

Luxury on the outside, doubts on the inside. The images depict modern buildings and striking urban architecture, including two towers connected by an elevated bridge. However, the reality may lack the promised luxury. CNN recently reported that life on higher floors in North Korea is complicated by frequent power outages, which often leave elevators inoperative.

As a result, floors in these buildings are assigned based on the residents’ ages. Younger individuals are placed on the upper floors, while the elderly reside on the lower levels. This arrangement highlights how structural deficiencies are masked by a facade of urban modernization. Notably, Pyongyang enjoys significantly better conditions than other parts of the country. Housing in rural areas and mining towns remains precarious, with limited access to electricity, potable water, and basic sanitation.

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The modernization plan. The Hwasong project is part of a broader modernization strategy, not an isolated initiative. It aligns with other recent developments, such as Mirae Scientists Street and Songhwa Street. Songhwa Street is home to the country’s second-tallest tower, which was completed in 2022. The regime’s efforts aim to present a renewed image of the nation while reinforcing Kim Jong Un’s personality cult.

According to The Korea Herald, the leader has been directly involved in the design and planning of the new district. This promotes the regime’s narrative that associates every accomplishment with Kim Jong Un’s personal leadership. The design of the buildings also reinforces the country’s system of privilege. Housing is allocated by the government based on loyalty to the regime or strategic usefulness, particularly for scientists, engineers, and party insiders.

Inequality. A report by South Korea’s Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology estimated that North Korea has enough housing for only 70% to 80% of its households. The housing situation outside of Pyongyang appears to be critical. Despite new projects in mining villages and rural areas, these developments often rely on forced labor from soldiers and civilians. Additionally, they work under harsh conditions and don’t receive fair pay.

Moreover, construction in North Korea is primarily driven by the Korean People’s Army. The military forces’ involvement not only addresses the scale of these projects but also serves an ideological purpose. Each brick symbolizes propaganda that reinforces the image of the regime as a modernizing force.

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Unstable facade. The regime boasts about the speed with which it constructs skyscrapers. For instance, the structure of a 70-story building in Pyongyang’s Ryomyong New Town was completed in just 74 days. However, experts have raised concerns regarding the quality of materials and technical oversight.

In 2014, a building collapse in Pyongyang, reportedly housing dozens of families, underscored the dangers of rapid construction without proper checks. KCNA attributed the disaster to “irresponsible” supervision. However, it failed to provide casualty figures or assign accountability in a country where transparency is practically nonexistent.

“Military” construction. Military involvement is another foundational aspect of civilian construction. The military apparatus plays a vital role in these developments. North Korea has over one million soldiers on active duty and a system of compulsory conscription that lasts at least 10 years from the age of 17. As such, the state workforce serves as the primary engine for these projects.

Even after their service, former soldiers are often incorporated into civilian paramilitary forces. This creates a system where the population remains subject to state control through military discipline. As a result, urbanization addresses housing needs and functions as a mechanism for surveillance and social containment.

Reopening and isolation. Additionally, the opening of the Hwasong district coincides with North Korea’s initial steps toward a controlled reopening after more than five years of pandemic-related closure. Although the capital has largely remained inaccessible, a small group of Russian tourists was allowed to enter in 2024.

Another foreign group was permitted to visit Rason, a special economic zone near the Chinese and Russian borders. This tentative reopening also serves as a backdrop for showcasing domestic achievements. One example is the new district, which carries symbolic value that surpasses its direct benefits for North Korean people.

In this context, Hwasong is more than just a residential district. It represents how North Korea seeks to project modernity while concealing underlying realities of scarcity, control, and structural inequality.

Image | Thomas Evans

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