14 DAY TRIAL // A tragic accident happened last Tuesday at an apartment construction site in the North Korean capital city of Pyongyang, and senior officials have publicly apologized for the incident, something that is very unusual for the secretive hardline state.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) broke the news about the collapse of a 23-story apartment complex that was under construction in Pyongyang's Pyongchon district. It is believed that many families had already moved in before the building was completed, but the news agency did not mention how many people died or were injured in the collapse.
However, given that each family has an average of four members, hundreds of people are feared dead or seriously injured. The cause of the collapse was not revealed either.
What's unusual about this story is that North Korean officials stepped forward to accept responsibility, although they usually make no comment on negative news. This time, the official news agency not only revealed the tragedy, but also announced that an intensive rescue operation was underway to rescue survivors and treat the injured.
According to the official report, the accident occurred last Tuesday and was the result of “irresponsible” supervision by officials in charge of the apartment building’s construction. A photograph which shows a construction worker apologizing to residents has been made public, and KCNA also transmitted lengthy public apologies by top officials, including the Minister of People's Security, Choe Pu-Il, and the chief secretary of the city committee of the ruling Workers' Party, Kim Su-Gi.
One official is quoted as saying that the accident greatly distressed leader Kim Jong-un, who “sat up all night, feeling painful after being told about the accident.”
Mr. Kim “instructed leading officials of the party, state and the army to rush to the scene, putting aside all other affairs, and command the rescue operation,” Kim Su-Gil was cited as saying by the KCNA.
The Daily Mail informs that a South Korean official confirmed that the incident involved the collapse of a 23-story apartment building, which already accommodated close to 100 families. He also said moving in before construction officially ends is a common practice in the neighboring country.
Pyongyang residents were outraged about the accident, and expressed their discontent when talking to reporters.
“This happened because they broke the rules and methods of construction,” Pak Chol said. “We must make sure that this kind of terrible accident never happens again.”