North Korea highlighted its policy of energy self reliance on Thursday by unveiling a new hydropower plant in Kangwon Province. The inauguration ceremony marked a significant milestone in the country’s continual push to address chronic electricity shortages across multiple regions.
Leader Kim Jong Un attended the ribbon-cutting event for the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station in southeastern Kangwon Province. Kim emphasized that energy self reliance will strengthen economic growth while improving living standards for communities outside the capital.
The Hoeyang facility became the sixth major hydropower project completed in the province after stations in Ichon, Munchon, Sepho, Phyonggang and Kosong. Despite limited industrial resources, Kangwon Province continued expanding energy infrastructure more aggressively than other regions. Kim congratulated local officials and workers while noting that their achievements reflect energy self reliance through local determination rather than outside assistance.
Photos released from the event displayed slogans celebrating the ruling party’s development goals and national self-sufficiency. Kim toured key rooms within the plant, reviewed operational capacity and encouraged technicians to accelerate power distribution throughout nearby communities.
Observers viewed the inauguration as a strategic political move ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress expected early next year. Kim recently attended an unveiling ceremony for a modern hospital near Pyongyang, which further illustrated his continued focus on regional development campaigns. Together, these appearances suggest that the leadership seeks to frame economic progress as a core element of future domestic stability.
North Korea maintains a long-standing electricity shortage, particularly outside Pyongyang where the industrial grid remains inconsistent. According to government data, the country generated 8.22 million kilowatts in 2021, which equaled only 6.1 percent of South Korea’s power production capacity. Moreover, its actual electricity generation reportedly reached only 4.4 percent of the output achieved by the South.
Energy analysts predict that limited access to fuel and outdated grid systems will continue to hinder nationwide power expansion. However, they also acknowledge that hydropower remains one of the few scalable resources available under sanctions. Therefore, Kim is expected to promote additional regional power projects while attempting to integrate electricity supply into broader economic policies.
Officials did not provide an operation timeline for distribution across households and factories in Kangwon. Nonetheless, authorities suggested that the plant will eventually support manufacturing, agriculture and residential areas simultaneously.
The North Korean government continues attempting to build momentum ahead of major political events. Consequently, more infrastructure-focused announcements are expected in coming months as leadership seeks to showcase development gains to domestic audiences.
