North Korean Premier Pak Prioritizes Regional Development at Pyongwon County Groundbreaking

Updated 2026-02-01 01:27:06+00:00 (9 articles)

Image: Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project in Unnyul County under his signature regional development policy on Jan. 29, 2026, in this Korean Central News Agency photo released the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
Image: Yonhap

This image by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project in Unnyul County under North Korea's regional development policy, held the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
Image: Yonhap

This image by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project in Unnyul County under North Korea's regional development policy, held the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
Image: Yonhap

This image by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project in Unnyul County under North Korea's regional development policy, held the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Premier Pak Announces Regional Development as Top State Goal On Feb 1 2026, Premier Pak Thae‑song addressed officials at a groundbreaking ceremony in Pyongwon County, South Phyongan Province, declaring the “Regional Development 20X10” policy the state’s highest priority [1]. The program, launched in 2024, targets construction of modern industrial plants in 20 cities and counties each year for a decade, aiming to narrow the urban‑rural gap nationwide [1][2]. Pak urged officials to demonstrate “patriotic strength and enthusiasm” to achieve a “new year of victory for the regional revolution.”

Kim Jong-un Leads First 2026 Groundbreaking in Unnyul County The North Korean leader attended a ceremony on Jan 29 2026 in Unnyul County, South Hwanghae Province, and personally turned the first spade of earth, marking the year’s inaugural regional‑development project [2]. He described the drive, now in its third year, as a transformation of roughly one‑third of the country through new public‑health facilities, leisure complexes, and industrial factories [2]. The event underscored the ten‑year plan’s commitment to building modern factories in 20 locales annually.

Leadership Mobilizes Military and Masses for Construction Pak’s speech called for mass mobilization, emphasizing patriotic enthusiasm to meet the development targets [1]. At the Unnyul ceremony, Kim praised soldiers as “creators of the people’s wellbeing,” highlighting the army’s central role in construction efforts [2]. Both leaders framed the initiative as a people‑first principle, linking civilian and military participation to national prosperity.

Upcoming Party Congress Expected to Reinforce Development Agenda Analysts note that Kim’s recent site visits and Pak’s February address are timed to rally support ahead of a key party congress anticipated later in February [1][2]. The congress is expected to cement the regional‑development policy as a core element of the party’s strategic agenda. Observers view the coordinated publicity as a signal of intensified focus on economic modernization and social uplift.

Sources

Timeline

2024 – North Korea launches the “Regional Development 20X10” policy, pledging to build modern factories in 20 cities or counties each year for a decade to narrow the urban‑rural gap and raise living standards nationwide [1].

Dec 3, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un inspects regional‑industrial factories in Sinyang and Pukchang counties, calling the factories and rural development a “gigantic revolution” that will improve livelihoods and lay foundations for independent local development [8][9].

Dec 4, 2025 – State media reports that 40 cities and counties have received new factories in under two years, and urges “perfect” preparation for the inauguration ceremonies scheduled later that month; analysts note the inspections aim to showcase results ahead of a mid‑December Workers’ Party plenary and an early‑next‑year party congress [9].

Dec 15, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un attends a ribbon‑cutting for an industrial complex in Kangdong County with his daughter Ju‑ae and wife Ri Sol‑ju, describing the push for regional development as a “sacred undertaking” that the party must pursue unconditionally [6][7].

Dec 18, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un opens new factories in Jangyon County, lauds self‑reliance and declares that “there will be no unachievable ideal” as the nation works toward a socialist paradise through courageous effort [5].

Dec 19, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un pays the highest tribute to his father at the Kumsusan Palace on the 14th anniversary of Kim Jong‑il’s death and the Rodong Sinmun urges all‑out effort to finish major Workers’ Party projects before the ninth party congress slated for 2026 [4].

Dec 28, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un cuts the ribbon at the Unsan County paper‑mill opening, calling the project a “model experience” for other provinces and highlighting it as a concrete achievement of the regional‑development drive [3].

Jan 29, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un breaks ground on the first 2026 regional‑development construction project in Unnyul County, personally digging the first spadeful of earth and praising soldiers as “creators of the people’s wellbeing” [2].

Feb 1, 2026 – Premier Pak Thae‑song declares regional development the state’s top priority at a groundbreaking in Pyongwon County, urging officials to show “patriotic strength and enthusiasm” and noting Kim Jong‑un’s recent site tours ahead of a key party congress expected later this month [1].

Feb 2026 (later this month) – Analysts anticipate the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, where a new development plan will be unveiled and the “Regional Development 20X10” program will be reviewed as a central agenda item [1][4].

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