January 13, 2026Jan 13, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Western world—‘Heaven’ of wanderers

Date: 04/11/2024 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

It is a simple dream and desire of all people to live harmoniously with their own families at their own home.

But in the Western world, such a dream is too far from reality that many people wander about to find living places.

An August issue of American newspaper The Wall Street Journal said about Americans’ dream as follows:

Americans crave three things even in dreams, that is, a private home, family and stable life. However, it is nothing but a pipe dream. And few Americans believe that the dream will come true easily.

In fact, house prices in the US are too high for ordinary families to even think of getting a single-room house of their own. The rent is so high that many people are leading a vagrant life.

Last year alone, the number of such homeless people reached more than 650 000, a record high in 16 years.

In Japan the average price of each flat of a new apartment house built in the capital area last year rose by 9.5 percent over the previous year, renewing the top record for three consecutive years.

The average price of houses in central Tokyo is said to have exceeded ¥100 million. This is why it is difficult for ordinary citizens to even imagine living in their own home.

In the Netherlands house prices continuously rose, setting a new record in the second quarter of this year, and in Sydney, Australia, the average monthly tax per flat reached over US$1 700.

In New Zealand, 1 million people consider it the only option to live in rented houses by abandoning their dream to live in their own homes.

That’s why many homeless people live a vagabond life on side streets and their number is increasing day by day in the Western world.

What is the reason why the Western countries styling themselves “advanced nations” are becoming “heaven” of tramps?

The Western media commented that the global economic crisis has worsened due to the prevalence of the malignant epidemic, aggravating the people’s living conditions. But this is nothing but deceptive propaganda to cover up the anti-popular nature of capitalist society.

In the US alone, the property of about 650 billionaires increased by more than US$1 trillion in 2020, when the malignant epidemic crisis reached the extreme. In 2021, the sum of property owned by the top wealthy classes accounting for 1 percent of the population surpassed that of all the middle classes.

An American economist said that in 2023 the rich grew richer and the people who were struggling in the lowest stratum of society suffered from deep-rooted poverty, adding its root cause is the institutional structure which exploits the poor, provides the rich with subsidies and separates the social strata.

While a handful of billionaires build luxury houses here and there and spend a huge sum of money for a day's meals alone, the number of vagrants, who have been driven out of even rented houses because they have no money, is increasing steadily. This just reflects the falsehood of and wretchedness under the capitalist system which advocates “equality for all” and “public welfare”.

It is a serious lesson taught by the present world that the simple desire of working people to have their own houses can never come true but for a social system that truly serves the people.

More From Pyongyang Times

KCNA commentary on neo-militarism of Japan

KCNA commentary on neo-militarism of Japan

From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security

January 12, 2026

From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security

Danish prime minister decries US’ attempt to annex Greenland

Danish prime minister decries US’ attempt to annex Greenland

The Danish prime minister rejected the US’ attempt to annex Greenland in a radio interview on January 5.As regards the US chief ex

January 12, 2026

The Danish prime minister rejected the US’ attempt to annex Greenland in a radio interview on January 5.As regards the US chief ex

EU makes stand on Greenland

EU makes stand on Greenland

A spokesman for the EU Commission on January 5 took a stand against the US ruler’s remarks revealing the intention to gain

January 12, 2026

A spokesman for the EU Commission on January 5 took a stand against the US ruler’s remarks revealing the intention to gain

Self-sustenance and self-determination

Self-sustenance and self-determination

means devising one’s way to live by one’s own determination and efforts without relying on others. The DPRK’s history of

January 12, 2026

means devising one’s way to live by one’s own determination and efforts without relying on others. The DPRK’s history of

Top 10 players, coaches for 2025 announced in DPRK

Top 10 players, coaches for 2025 announced in DPRK

A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,

January 12, 2026

A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,

Officials conduct first Friday labour

Officials conduct first Friday labour

Officials of ministries and national agencies in the DPRK did the first Friday labour of the new year at farms in Pyongyang on

January 12, 2026

Officials of ministries and national agencies in the DPRK did the first Friday labour of the new year at farms in Pyongyang on

Farmers move into new houses in South Phyongan Province

Farmers move into new houses in South Phyongan Province

New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province. Attending the

January 12, 2026

New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province. Attending the

Factory steadily increases production

Factory steadily increases production

The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory overfulfilled its yearly plan and produced hundreds of thousands of square metres of more

January 12, 2026

The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory overfulfilled its yearly plan and produced hundreds of thousands of square metres of more

Mexican president denounces US’ interference

Mexican president denounces US’ interference

The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar

January 11, 2026

The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar

Winners of Communist Mother Honour Prize (2)

Winners of Communist Mother Honour Prize (2)

Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known

January 11, 2026

Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known

New Year celebrations of Koreans in China

New Year celebrations of Koreans in China

The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the

January 11, 2026

The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the

Cement production goes up

Cement production goes up

Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried

January 11, 2026

Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried

Inevitable product of anti-popular social system

Inevitable product of anti-popular social system

The right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from

January 10, 2026

The right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from

Crimes are rampant in Western countries around New Year’s Day

Crimes are rampant in Western countries around New Year’s Day

Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca

January 10, 2026

Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca

Photo exhibitions held in provinces

Photo exhibitions held in provinces

Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were

January 10, 2026

Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South

January 10, 2026

New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South

Proactive efforts to develop country’s sports

Proactive efforts to develop country’s sports

In 2025, the DPRK made positive efforts to develop sports and make them mass-based.Fierce gamesAs in 2024, many sports games held

January 09, 2026

In 2025, the DPRK made positive efforts to develop sports and make them mass-based.Fierce gamesAs in 2024, many sports games held

More Articles