According to a Pyongyang source in NK Times on the 23rd, North Korea has been supplying electricity to Pyongyang for an average of more than 13 hours per day since the middle of this month. This is in accordance with Chairman Kim Jong-un’s order to “guarantee electricity so that the capital city of Pyongyang residents can enjoy cultural life,” and it is reported that electricity is being supplied from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day.
However, it is said that while the apartments where central officials and the wealthy live are supplied with electricity at a voltage of 170-200 V, ordinary apartments are supplied with electricity at a very low voltage of 90-120 V.
The actual source said, “Since the middle of this month, the electricity supply hours in Pyongyang have been extended, and residents are welcoming it, but most cultural activities such as watching TV are difficult due to the extremely low voltage,” and “Because of this, residents are strongly criticizing the government’s electricity supply policy, saying, ‘This is a world where people are discriminated against even with electricity.'”
He continued, “Electricity is being supplied as a priority to areas with restaurants targeting foreigners, such as the Central Party Apartment and Changgwang Street,” and explained, “However, the further out you go, the shorter the electricity supply hours are due to frequent intersections.”
The source added, “It seems that they are providing more electricity this month because of Kim Jong-il’s death anniversary and Kim Jong-suk’s birthday, and the party plenary session at the end of the year.” He added, “Since the electricity situation in our country is so poor, the electricity supply hours may be reduced to the original starting in January next year.”
Meanwhile, North Korea is reported to be supplying electricity 24 hours a day to major facilities with political significance and symbolism, such as the Mansudae Statue, Pyongyang Station, Kim Il-sung Square, and the Arc de Triomphe in the capital city of Pyongyang.
***This article was translated by Google and may differ from the Korean version.
