economy

In recent years a series of projects have been undertaken to create beautiful river landscapes along with river improvement in different parts of the country.

“River water is the resources of the most basic and strategic significance which have important influence on the human life and health and the ecological environment of the country. As a key element of the environment, it also plays an important role in ensuring the sustainable and safe development of society, the environment and economy,” said Kong Sun Chol, section chief of the Ministry of Land and Environment Protection.

According to him, the rapid economic growth, disorderly development of resources and disastrous abnormal weather are leading to the increase in quantity of wastewater and sewage and the ensuing shortage of water resources and water pollution in the world. 

Flood and drought damage in particular inflicts tremendous losses on the economic development and people’s lives and property and has become a major factor threatening the existence of mankind.

The DPRK has directed a great deal of energies to protecting water resources as much as possible and improving the ecological environment of rivers by setting the improvement of them and management of their basins as an important national affair.

Along the Pothong River near Kyongru-dong of Central District in the capital city of Pyongyang, a project was carried out to remove hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of mud and unwanted material from the bottom of the river, plant ground cover plants, create bank-protecting forests and improve the surrounding environment. As a result, a beautiful riverside park was built and a floating flower garden decorated with various flowers created on the river, presenting a lovely riverscape in organic combination with the riverside terraced houses district.

On Kumran Islet, a good place adding to the beautiful scenery of the Pothong River in perfect harmony with Kyongru-dong, were built a cosy pavilion covered with Korean-style roofing tiles and a comprehensive sports park with such sporting facilities as volleyball, basketball and badminton courts and ssirum (Korean wrestling) ground, contributing to the cultural and emotional life of the people. A small suspension bridge connecting charmingly landscaped Kumran Islet with Kyongru-dong was newly built to improve the scenery of the Pothong River.

And the riverside was also cleared in the Komdok area, which has been built as a mountain gorge city, presenting a beautiful riverscape in good harmony with the magnificent natural beauty of mountains.

Permanent embankments were built as impregnable protective walls against any flood and a model of river dikes in the City of Sinuiju and the island areas of Uiju County of North Phyongan Province in the northwestern part of the country, which had suffered from floods through generations. And in striking contrast to the huge concrete embankments sprawl the vast stretches of green lawn in harmony, and the promenades and riverside park present a picturesque scene, gaining the admiration of visitors. 

At present, more detailed mid- and long-term plans for flood control mainly aimed at conserving water resources, improving water quality and protecting the ecological environment of rivers have been worked out and are rolling full steam ahead.