North Korean authorities have begun forced mobilization across North Pyongan province. They are sending factory and enterprise workers to repair riverbanks, embankments, and mountain slopes. This push comes just ahead of the summer rainy season. A source in the province said Monday that field inspections started in early May. The Unsan county land management department led the surveys. Consequently, officials identified high-risk flood and landslide zones. They immediately ordered large-scale repair work. The forced mobilization started in mid-May. Since then, inspectors have maintained constant pressure on the workers.
The Land and Environmental Protection Management Department oversees land use and infrastructure. It directed the surveys along rivers, streams, and hillsides. In the past, flood prevention involved basic riverbank reinforcement. Workers would mostly tidy up the area. Now, however, the approach has changed significantly. Detailed pre-season surveys pinpoint specific dangerous stretches. Furthermore, authorities want to use heavy equipment for major repairs. The scope and duration of assignments have also expanded sharply.
The intensified push reflects political fallout from recent flood disasters. Officials in Unsan county and across the province have received formal party notifications. Those notifications listed cases of punishment for local officials. Party and people’s committee officials faced discipline for failing to prevent flood damage. As a result, preventing rainy season damage is now the top priority. The forced mobilization is moving more aggressively than ever. Oversight inspections have also increased in frequency. Officials are applying steady pressure on repair managers.
However, the burden falls heavily on the mobilized workers. The state has refused to supply the heavy equipment. Instead, factories and enterprises must source their own machinery. Workers must also provide their own gloves. They have to arrange their own meals as well. “The workers say they are being given more to do, for longer, under closer inspection,” the source said. “The authorities refuse to supply equipment and just keep issuing orders.” The source added that workers feel things get harder each year.
Despite the grievances, some workers see a positive side. They acknowledge the approach is more substantive. “Since they have to be mobilized anyway, it is better to do it properly,” the source added. The effort aims to avoid a repeat of past devastating summer floods. Nonetheless, the disconnect remains wide. Demands on workers keep growing, but state support has not improved.
