A sharp labor backlash spread across North Korea after workers walked out of mandatory workplace sessions following Kim Jong Un’s New Year speech. The labor backlash began when factories distributed the address nationwide for required morning readings on January 2.
Factories in Hoeryong, a city tied closely to the ruling family, received the full speech through the party newspaper. Workers gathered early and read the text aloud as state rules required. However, many stood up and left immediately after the reading ended.
Supervisors lost control as workers exited before managers could give production targets or daily instructions. Local sources said the sudden walkouts reflected growing anger over the speech’s focus on loyalty and sacrifice.
Kim praised patriotism as the driving force behind last year’s national struggle. Many workers read this as a warning that more unpaid labor and construction duties were coming. The message caused fear and resentment inside factories.
The labor backlash shows deeper exhaustion among industrial workers who already face constant mobilization without pay or benefits. Many feared new production demands for 2025 after hearing the speech.
Workers also disliked how the speech framed hardship as proof of loyalty. They said the language ignored their food shortages and long working hours.
Hoeryong usually enjoys better conditions than nearby towns because of its political importance. Even there, anger toward forced labor now appears widespread. That reaction highlights how far the labor backlash has spread.
Several workers described the speech as emotionally draining and disconnected from daily reality. They said it reminded them of years of sacrifice without improvement.
State media told a different story after the address. Official outlets claimed citizens reacted with tears and enthusiasm. They reported renewed pledges of loyalty across all sectors.
The party newspaper said workers, farmers, and youth vowed to deepen their commitment to socialism. Those claims sharply clashed with the factory walkouts.
Analysts say the labor backlash exposes rising risks for the government. Authorities rely heavily on forced labor because the economy remains weak. Sanctions and limited trade continue to hurt output.
Experts expect the leadership to expand propaganda and tighten workplace discipline. Officials may also increase loyalty campaigns inside factories. However, frustration among workers continues to grow.
Unless living conditions improve, the labor backlash could weaken production across state industries. The government now faces pressure to control unrest while sustaining economic output.
