Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is undergoing a dramatic transformation.

As new streets boasting modern civilization are springing up every year, the city is extending eastward, westward and northward while taking on further magnificence.

Among them are Songhwa Street with an iconic 80-storey apartment building, modern dwelling houses in the Taephyong area, and Hwasong, Rimhung and Jonwi streets where structures of unique and exotic shapes are arranged in good harmony.

The new streets mushrooming every year are monumental edifices of vitality that serve as a living proof of the full-scale development of socialist construction and demonstrate the dynamic driving force of the DPRK.

This unheard-of change is an immortal exploit performed by the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , who is going on a journey of devotion for the people, regarding them as the God of his destiny.

When speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the 10 000-flat project in Pyongyang three years ago, Kim Jong Un said that the construction of 50 000 flats in the capital city is a project for fulfilling the cherished desire of the WPK to provide the citizens with more stable and civilized living conditions and that the Party and the government acquainted themselves with the number of households that need houses and made an in-depth study of the measures for solving this problem. He added that they have regarded this project as their most important task.

When people are pleased, he is happy. When they are under pain, he is worried. And he regarded the people as his all. That is why what they harbour and yearn for has been cherished in his mind.

He shovelled the first spadeful of earth in reflection of his cherished desire at every ground-breaking ceremony of new streets.

For the victory of our cause!

For the eternal prosperity of our socialist state and for Pyongyang, our capital!

For the future of our capital, which will be more beautiful and magnificent, for our parents, brothers and children who will create and enjoy a new civilization to their heart’s content!

Such emotional appeals at those ground-breaking ceremonies are still touching the heartstrings of the people.

More than 1 000 layouts of Songhwa Street, over 1 630 layouts of the first-stage project in the Hwasong area, and nearly 1 000 layouts of the second-stage project in the Hwasong area, etc.

Despite his tight schedule for having to deal with all the affairs of the state, he checked all these layouts devoting himself for the sake of the people.

Probably, those who regard profits as a lifeline for economic development cannot understand the reality in the DPRK where many houses are built on government expenditure every year and provided to the people free of charge.

In March last year, when he visited the construction site of Hwasong Street prior to the inauguration, Kim Jong Un was so pleased to think of people who would be full of happiness and delight after moving into the excellent apartment houses. He said it is needed to build 50 000 flats in Pyongyang without fail to solve the housing problem in the capital city in the period of the Five-Year Plan, adding that it is his strong desire.

True to his cherished desire, the housing construction in the capital city is proceeding apace.

Ri Song Nam