North Korean residents in Kujang county voiced growing anger over an uneven state response as flood reconstruction stalled months after severe summer rains. This uneven state response has become a major source of frustration as locals struggle through winter with little progress on damaged homes and infrastructure.
Heavy rains in late July destroyed small power plants, washed out bridges and triggered landslides that killed or displaced residents. Local authorities initially underreported the scale of the disaster before investigators uncovered the cover-up and punished responsible officials. Leaders then announced a coordinated reconstruction effort, but residents said almost nothing has improved.
According to sources in North Pyongan province, the government mobilized people to recovery sites. However, locals see almost no visible results despite weeks of labor. They said construction teams face major shortages of essential materials. Provincial officials have not delivered supplies, and county offices provide only limited amounts of cement or timber. As a result, many residents rely on mud bricks to rebuild homes.
Authorities declared the restoration of power plant facilities the top priority. Nevertheless, locals argued that new homes should come first as cold weather sets in. Many families still live with relatives or sleep in temporary workplace buildings. Some residents began paying for their own interior work after waiting too long for official support.
People also compared this slow progress to the strong national response after last year’s floods in northern border regions. They noted that Kim Jong Un visited those areas and triggered immediate nationwide mobilization. Residents now believe that leadership attention determines the speed and scale of recovery efforts. This uneven state response deepened resentment among families who lost homes during the July floods.
Kujang residents expressed feelings of abandonment as they watched other regions receive far stronger support. Some reported that damaged areas linked to political messaging or model communities received priority, while ordinary districts lagged behind. Locals said these differences created a sense of unfairness across flood-affected regions.
Officials continued emphasizing the importance of power plant repair rather than immediate housing needs. However, residents questioned the value of restoring facilities that offer little benefit to displaced families. They stressed that stable housing should remain the top priority before winter temperatures fall further.
As recovery delays continue, analysts believe frustration could grow in areas facing long-term displacement. They noted that ongoing shortages and strained logistics may slow construction further. Observers also expect future regional disparities to reinforce concerns about unequal disaster management within the country.
Kujang residents now wait for clearer direction from higher authorities. They hope new attention will speed up progress and reduce the impact of this uneven state response on families still living in temporary conditions.
