November 25th 2024.
Kim Jong-un's iconic missile-shaped skyscrapers, which were unveiled with much fanfare last year, unfortunately come with one major drawback. Located in the heart of North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, these towers can only be accessed through their lifts during a limited window of time, when electricity is available. This is due to the country's struggling power grid, which can only provide electricity for three hours in the evening, from 6pm to 9pm.
As a result, residents of these towering apartment blocks often find themselves in long queues, all trying to use the lifts at the same time. Some have even reported waiting for several hours just to get to their floors. The towers are situated in the newly developed Hwasong district, aptly named after Jong-un's most powerful missile. It's no secret that these buildings were designed to resemble rockets, showcasing the country's military prowess.
A resident living on the 19th floor of one of the towers shared their experience with Radio Free Asia, saying, "In the evening, when people are returning from work or running errands, there are long lines forming in front of the elevators. We have to wait until the electricity comes back on, and even then, the elevator attendants only allow a maximum of eight people at a time. This has caused many to complain of joint pain as they wait for an hour just to go home."
During a visit to these apartment blocks, a guest had to wait five hours in line just to reach their relative's apartment on the 25th floor. "The complex and its amenities look impressive, but the residents are struggling with such an inconvenient living situation," they commented. In fact, some residents have resorted to using pulleys to hoist up their groceries and other supplies from their balconies, but this is not officially allowed as it is deemed "uncivilized" by the city authorities.
It's worth noting that members of the country's political elite reside in the central district of the city, where electricity is available for 12 hours a day. However, in most other districts, residents are only provided with two to three hours of electricity, and even then, the timings are unpredictable. To accommodate people returning from work, the Hwasong district has designated evening hours for electricity, which is why the lifts can only be used during that time. But it's not just electricity that is rationed in these towers - according to reports, tap water is only available for two hours in the morning, from 6am to 8am.
Despite their grand appearance, the missile-shaped skyscrapers have proven to be a major inconvenience for the residents of Pyongyang. And with electricity and water being strictly regulated, it seems that living in these towers comes with its fair share of challenges.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
