Agriculture – North Korea Opens Major Greenhouse Farm in Flood-Hit Sinuiju
Agriculture – North Korea has officially opened a large-scale greenhouse farming complex in Sinuiju, a northwestern city that suffered extensive flood damage in 2024, marking what state media described as a significant step in the country’s regional recovery and development efforts.
The opening ceremony for the Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm was attended by leader Kim Jong-un, according to a report released Monday by the Korean Central News Agency. The event took place nearly a year after construction began in February 2025, following a period of reconstruction prompted by severe summer flooding.
Project Rooted in Flood Recovery Efforts
The greenhouse complex is located on Wihwa Island, an islet within the city of Sinuiju that was among the areas hardest hit by last year’s floods. North Korean authorities identified the site as a priority zone for agricultural redevelopment as part of broader efforts to stabilize food production and improve living conditions in regions vulnerable to natural disasters.
State media reports said the farm was designed to provide year-round agricultural output, using controlled growing environments to reduce dependence on weather conditions. Officials have framed the project as both a recovery measure and a long-term solution aimed at supporting local residents who have faced repeated flood-related disruptions over decades.
Kim Highlights Symbolic and Practical Value
During the inauguration, Kim described the greenhouse complex as a meaningful achievement for the people of Sinuiju. He was quoted as saying the project would serve as a foundation for renewed livelihoods in the area, noting that generations of residents have endured recurring flood damage.
Kim also praised the role of soldiers and young workers involved in the construction, characterizing their efforts as a creative accomplishment timed to coincide with the country’s upcoming Ninth Party Congress. The congress, held once every five years, is a key political event at which North Korea outlines its policy direction across multiple sectors.
Significance Ahead of Party Congress
North Korea is expected to convene the Ninth Party Congress later this month, its first such meeting since 2021. Observers anticipate that the leadership will use the gathering to present policy priorities for the next five years, covering areas such as diplomacy, national defense, economic management, and regional development.
The Sinuiju greenhouse farm is widely seen as one of the projects likely to be highlighted during the congress. According to KCNA, Kim referred to the facility as among the largest initiatives undertaken during the eighth term of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.
Part of Broader Regional Development Policy
The greenhouse complex aligns with a regional development strategy introduced by Kim in 2024. Under that policy, North Korea aims to construct modern industrial factories in 20 cities and counties each year over a decade, with the stated goal of reducing economic disparities between the capital and outlying regions.
Officials have emphasized that agricultural and industrial projects in regional areas are central to improving daily living standards, particularly in locations affected by natural disasters or long-standing infrastructure challenges. The Sinuiju farm has been repeatedly cited by state media as a representative example of this approach.
Expected Role in Food Stability Plans
While detailed production figures have not been disclosed, the greenhouse facility is expected to contribute to local food supply stability by enabling consistent cultivation regardless of seasonal constraints. State media coverage suggests that similar projects could be expanded to other regions as part of longer-term food and economic planning.
As North Korea prepares for its next party congress, the Sinuiju greenhouse farm stands as a visible symbol of the leadership’s focus on reconstruction, regional self-sufficiency, and showcasing tangible outcomes from its development policies.