culture

Flood victims in North Phyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces, which were hit by natural disasters last year, unanimously say: “We were worried after losing our houses and family property all at once, but we did not cry as we were confident that we had the Workers’ Party of Korea. However, when we entered our new houses, we could hardly control tears welling up in our eyes, much grateful to the Party.”

Last year, the flood-hit areas that had turned into a sea of water and mud underwent a sea change in a little over four months under the leadership of the WPK. As a result, those who had been left homeless moved into wonderful houses of happiness.

There rose up modern multi- and single-storey houses for over 15 000 families, nurseries, kindergartens, schools, hospitals, clinics and others in those areas, while over 6 000 flats were repaired, embankments were built along the Amnok River, rivers and streams were improved and railways, roads and bridges were restored to make the northwestern part of the DPRK take on new looks.

The residential quarters look like a nice picture. There are graceful apartment houses supported by solid foundations and public buildings boasting of modern civilization. And the new flats have cosy living rooms and kitchens furnished with TV sets, furniture and daily necessaries.

Each section is landscaped splendidly with good species of trees, and night is as bright as day for the nicely decorated illuminations, which make people reluctant to leave the place.

Old natives, who were born and have lived there experiencing all events, wonder at their native places that have undergone a drastic change and say they feel as if they are dreaming.

On the day when flood victims returned home in December last year after spending dreamy days in the capital city of Pyongyang thanks to the benevolence of the WPK, their families and villagers were very surprised to see them.

On an island, those who remained in their villages could not recognize their wives, children and old mothers at once and some of them could have family reunion after searching for their family members for a long while, though they had been close at hand.

Husbands were surprised to see their wives who looked younger and got more beautiful, parents wondered how their children could grow up so much beyond recognition and children were happy to see their old mothers who got healthier and younger. And the returnees unanimously expressed their admiration for their new houses.

“We, who had left our hometown for Pyongyang after losing our homes and everything in the flood, were worried as we had so many things to carry to our homes after being treated like guests of honour in the capital. But when we entered our new house I was surprised to see every room filled with all necessary things such as TV, furniture and household goods which were provided by the country," said Jo In Nam, an old man living in neighbourhood unit No. 26 of Soho-ri, Uiju County.

The residents said that the country provided them with everything, ranging from blanket to condiments, spoons and safety shavers, so that the flood victims could live without any worries after returning home.

"When I opened the warehouse, all rice sacks were filled with white rice and even mouth-watering winter kimchi was piled in the jars. I had inwardly felt anxious about the meal for my family in the new house, but the state considered carefully even the trifling anxiety of us housewives,” said Choe Son Ok living in the same neighbourhood unit.

Saying that no one else in the world has received such blessings from the Party and the state like them, she expressed her resolve to work devotedly for the benevolent country.