The "Local Development 20×10 Policy," a flagship project put forward by Kim Jong-un, is entering its third year of implementation, with construction speeding up in various regions.
Korean Central News Agency said on the 4th that groundbreaking ceremonies for construction projects designated under the 2026 local development policy were held the previous day in areas including the Sinuiju Greenhouse Integrated Farm District, Kangnam County in Pyongyang, and Maengsan County in South Pyongan Province, with party officials in attendance.
The agency said that in the 20 regions where construction will proceed this year, not only modern factories but also health care facilities and multifunctional integrated service facilities that proved successful in the pilot phase will be built together.
At the groundbreaking ceremonies, speakers said that "the local development policy is accelerating thanks to the dedication of the party center," and they cited achievements such as improved living conditions and higher levels of residents' awareness and culture.
The "Local Development 20×10 Policy" is a plan to build new local industrial factories in 20 counties each year from 2024 onward and narrow the urban-rural gap within 10 years. Emphasizing that the policy has entered its third year this year, North Korea has been highlighting the achievements of the past two years in succession, along with the holding of groundbreaking ceremonies.
Earlier, on the 29th, Kim Jong-un personally appeared at the groundbreaking ceremony for production facilities in Unryul County, South Hwanghae Province, designated as the first implementation site this year, and said that "nearly one-third of cities and counties nationwide will undergo a great transformation."