00:00This is Sang-Sumoi Oreum, sensor Su-Jae. A huge flood in North Korea reportedly swept away an
00:05entire core-level artillery unit. The area around a suspected core-level artillery base in Singai
00:10County, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, suffered major damage from a sudden torrential
00:14downpour late last month. According to NK News, a North Korea-focused media outlet that analyzed
00:19satellite photos from Planet Labs, large-scale military facilities in the center of Singai
00:24County, North Hwanghae Province, and the surrounding areas were destroyed by heavy
00:27rains at the end of July. Damage was mainly focused in the river basin from Hwangdong Reservoir near the
00:33military base. Photo analysis shows at least 380 houses, both multi-story and single-story, were
00:38completely washed away. Part of the reservoir dam reportedly collapsed under pressure, releasing a
00:43huge surge of water downstream and worsening the damage. It is said that not only the residential
00:49area right in front of the military base, but also the entire village that was formed on the island
00:52across the river have disappeared. Local residents say that various facilities and markets, which were
00:56essential for their daily lives, were also destroyed to the point of being unrecognizable.
00:59In satellite photos taken between the 28th of last month and the 5th of this month, residents
01:04who lost their homes can be seen setting up temporary tents around the affected area and
01:08trying to carry on with their livelihoods. North Korea's state-run media has also acknowledged
01:12the fact that there was severe heavy rainfall in the Singai area. North Korean media, like
01:16Rodong Sinmun, reported that Singai County saw 224.7 mm of rain in one day on the 20th last month,
01:22followed by another record 207 mm downpour on the 23rd. However, they don't disclose casualty
01:28numbers or regional damage details. The facility is considered a key military stronghold and has
01:33been the core level artillery headquarters since the 1980s. If this base still has the same role,
01:39the recent flood seems to have seriously disrupted its operational command and wartime response. The
01:45traces of flooding are not limited to Singai County but are widely spread to the surrounding areas as well.
01:48In northern Ichin County and southern Hangyeo County, Gangwon Province, landslides and floods happened at
01:54the same time, with satellite images showing houses, roads, and bridges cut off or damaged.
01:59After the heavy rainfall, the North Korean authorities have issued consecutive heavy rain and flood
02:04warnings in each region and have heightened their state of alert, but they have not disclosed specific
02:08numbers regarding casualties or property damage to the outside world. This is unusual compared to last
02:13year, when Kim Jong-un personally visited the Amnok River flood site and widely promoted recovery efforts.
02:18the Amnok River flood sites.
02:19The Amnok River
02:20the Amnok River
02:20the Amnok River
02:20the Amnok River
02:21the Amnok River
Comments