North Korean children are increasingly swimming in rivers despite serious water safety concerns statewide. A source in North Pyongan province reported Wednesday that heat waves continue affecting multiple counties. Notably, daily rainfall has failed to provide residents any meaningful relief from heat.
According to the source, humidity now persists regardless of whether rain falls consistently. Consequently, clothes and bedding rarely dry properly, leaving residents wearing perpetually damp garments daily. Even indoor spaces remain uncomfortably sticky, further compounding residents’ physical discomfort throughout the region.
Given these conditions, children struggle remaining indoors and frequently seek relief through nearby water. Rivers, streams, reservoirs, and puddles near Ryongchon county attract children even during heavy downpours. However, water safety measures at these locations remain virtually nonexistent, according to local reports.
Specifically, almost no supervision exists at swimming locations, nor does rescue equipment appear available. Basic safety tools, including simple flotation tubes, are largely missing from these swimming areas. Meanwhile, unreliable electricity prevents families from using cooling devices, leaving swimming as their only option.
Heavy rainfall makes water safety concerns considerably worse, as currents accelerate and water deepens rapidly. Furthermore, no warning markers exist identifying genuinely dangerous swimming areas for children. Consequently, parents feel powerless preventing their children from entering increasingly unpredictable water conditions.
Although schools provide classroom-based water safety instruction, parents argue practical supervision would prove far more effective. Rather than formal lessons, families want personnel stationed directly at popular swimming locations instead. Currently, patrol teams focus primarily on general community enforcement rather than safety monitoring.
Parents describe constant worry while working, fearing accidents could occur during their absence from home. Many hope authorities will identify actual swimming locations and station rescue-capable staff there. Ultimately, improved water safety measures could ease parental anxiety while supporting greater workplace productivity.
Without meaningful intervention, families say children will keep swimming regardless of danger or supervision gaps.
