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Kim Jong-un Tours New Pyongyang Service Hubs, Orders April 15 Opening

The staged visit signals a push to showcase consumer upgrades as proof of rising living standards.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (3rd L) and his daughter Kim Ju Ae (2nd L) inspect a musical instrument store awaiting the opening of the fourth-stage district of the Hwasong Area in Pyongyang.
This undated picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) and his daughter Kim Ju Ae (R) inspecting a pet shop awaiting the opening of the fourth-stage district of the Hwasong Area in Pyongyang.
Streets of the district wer "brimming with the joy and excitement of citizens who greeted the auspicious event of moving into new houses," Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) and his daughter Kim Ju Ae (R) inspect a pet shop awaiting the opening of the fourth-stage district of the Hwasong Area in Pyongyang.

Overview

  • Kim Jong-un, who inspected the Hwasong district service sites Friday, toured a pet shop, an auto service center, a musical instrument store, and a hair salon with his wife and daughter.
  • He directed the shops to open on April 15 for the Day of the Sun, the holiday marking state founder Kim Il-sung’s birth.
  • During the tour he called for more pet goods and services, including pet food, grooming tools, and veterinary medicines, and urged higher service quality.
  • For residents moving into the new apartments, the facilities promise everyday conveniences like car repair, pet care, hairdressing, and access to instruments for students and hobbyists.
  • Hwasong is a flagship housing project with about 40,000 units built from 2022 to 2025, and photos of the visit featuring Kim’s daughter, widely believed to be Kim Ju-ae, track with South Korean intelligence assessments of her rising public profile.