2nd Phase of Hu’ich’o’n Power Station Construction Opened at Ceremony

DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim (L) speaks at a ceremony opening the second phase of the Hu’ich’o’n Power Station construction (R) in Hyangsan County, North P’yo’ngan Province on 30 January 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

DPRK state media reported on 30 January (Wednesday) that a ceremony formally opened the construction of the second phase of the Hu’ich’o’n Power Station in Hyangsan County, North P’yo’ngan Province.  The first phase of the power station was opened in April 2012 and was supplying some electricity to Pyongyang.  According to KCNA completing the second phase of the Hu’ich’o’n Power Station “will help make the structures for the people’s happiness pay off more profusely and lay a solid foundation for improving the people’s living standard by vitalizing the country’s overall economy” and “will also help protect the farmland and the residents on the riverside from flood damage and supply industrial water to factories and enterprises in its surrounding areas.”  State media also reported that the development of the power stations around Hu’ich’o’n is part of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] “to turn the Ch’o’ngch’o’n River into one of treasure and electricity producer” and part of “of the behests of leader Kim Jong Il and part of grand nature-making projects intended to realize the noble intention of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.”

A ceremony opening Phase Two of the construction of Hu’ich’o’n Power Station in Hyangsan County, North P’yo’ngan Province on 30 January 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

A ceremony was held to commence work at Phase Two of the Hu’ich’o’n Power Station.  Attending from the DPRK central leadership were DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, KWP Secretary Kim Ki Nam, KWP Secretary and Department Director Kwak Pom Gi, DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol and “other officials of national and local institutions, officials and shock brigade members tasked to carry out the project and residents in Hyangsan County.”  Choe Yong Rim delivered the keynote address in which he “called on all officials and builders to cherish the great trust and expectations shown by Kim Jong Un and turn out as one in a general offensive to unconditionally carry out the project.”