Posted on 08/14/2015 10:27:27 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
The Pyongyangites of Pyonghattan
Aug 12th 2015, 16:24
by The Data Team
SINCE Kim Jong Un came to power following the death of his father in December 2011, North Korea’s Young Leader has shown a passion for construction projects, with the emphasis on leisure—a pursuit he promised his subjects early on, along with prosperity. Mr Kim swiftly ordered the renovation of Pyongyang’s two main funfairs. A new water park, 4D cinema, dolphinarium, riverside parks, residential skyscrapers and a new airport terminal have all followed. Now an underground shopping centre is being built in the capital to cater to a small class of newly monied Pyongyangites.
At the centre of this group sit the donju, wealthy traders whose investments have been fuelling a retail and construction boom in Pyongyang which is starting to change the face of the capital. A cluster of new high-rise apartments has been constructed forming a quarter that local diplomats now refer to as “Pyonghattan”. Successful donju own some of the foreign cars on the city’s busier streets. Others ride in its expanding fleet of taxis. Most own smartphones. This growing segment of the population is already visible on Pyongyang’s streets as young women shrug off dowdy outfits for fitted jackets, bolder colours and sunglasses. Coats with a discreet Burberry pattern on the lining are popular, and high heels have appeared, some in leopard print or silver. These goods have become more accessible with the gradual recognition of the market economy by the state. Reports even suggest that some workers have started to receive pay at black-market rates
(Excerpt) Read more at economist.com ...
P!
Oppan Pyonghattan Style?
The Pyongyangites of Pyonghattan say that Three Times..
DPRK Ping.
Does the power stay on at night?
Paradise.
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