North Korea unveils stunning new high-rise neighborhood as it emerges from isolation

According to a new article, CNN features that as North Korea begins to open up after five years of pandemic-induced isolation, the capital city of Pyongyang is showcasing a striking new high-rise neighborhood. 

The 10,000-apartment complex, located in the newly developed Hwasong district, was showcased following an inspection by Kim Jong Un, the country’s leader.

This ambitious development is part of a broader construction initiative in Pyongyang and across the isolated, authoritarian nation, aimed at improving living conditions for its citizens. The apartments are a key element of a five-year plan unveiled in 2021 to add 50,000 new homes to the capital, where the standard of living is relatively higher compared to the rest of the country.

Despite the sleek images of Pyongyang’s evolving skyline, high-rise living in North Korea doesn’t always translate to luxury. Power outages are a common occurrence, which often leave elevators inoperable, presenting a daily challenge for residents on higher floors. To mitigate this, younger individuals are typically assigned to upper-level apartments, while older residents are moved to lower floors to reduce the strain of climbing stairs. This adjustment was observed during multiple visits to the country.

North Korea continues to face significant housing shortages, which are compounded by an ailing economy, rising commodity prices, and ongoing food insecurity. According to a 2021 study by South Korea’s Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, the country’s housing stock meets only about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of its household needs. Outside of Pyongyang, many homes are in poor condition and lack reliable access to electricity, clean water, and sewage systems.

The new Hwasong development features several towering residential buildings, including two connected by an eye-catching skybridge. In addition to the living spaces, the development will offer educational, commercial, and service facilities. Kim Jong Un played a direct role in the planning process, energetically overseeing the construction blueprint.

Kim’s inspection of the site comes ahead of the official opening ceremony, scheduled for April 15, which marks the birthday of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea. The completion of the third phase of Hwasong’s development is set to coincide with the celebrations, with state media calling the area a “beautiful and modern urban quarter” that heralds a “new era of prosperity” for Pyongyang.

Since the closure of North Korea’s borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pyongyang has largely remained off-limits to international visitors. Although a small group of Russian tourists visited the city in 2024, other foreign tourists have been restricted to the Rason economic zone near North Korea’s borders with China and Russia.

Hwasong joins a series of recent urban developments in Pyongyang, known for its pastel-colored, Soviet-style architecture. Other major projects include residential areas around Mirae Scientists Street and Songhwa Street, the latter of which is home to North Korea’s second tallest building, the Songhwa Street Main Tower, completed in 2022.

By Naila Huseynova