Recent trade activity between Sinuiju and Dandong, considering both automobile and train movements, appears to remain stable. However, construction work on the North Korean side of the New Yalu River Bridge is proceeding very slowly, seemingly due to Kim Jong Un’s directive to focus efforts on embankment projects in Sinuiju. Apart from embankment and railway construction, there is virtually no other visible building activity in the city. Even damaged houses have been left abandoned, as resources are concentrated on carrying out Kim Jong Un’s orders. Construction practices continue to be inefficient and unplanned, with projects being initiated, then torn down, and rebuilt again.

How is it possible, even in the 21st century, to turn an entire large island into a vegetable farm just because Kim Jong Un ordered it? Do the island’s residents really only need vegetables?