North Korean universities are to be closed for the next ten months in order to supply laborers for construction projects.

As the next year marks 100th anniversary for the birth of the “eternal leader” Kim Il-sung, the government is striving to restore its economy in order to create a “strong and powerful nation of socialism.”

Pyongyang announced that all universities would be closed from June 27, allowing only few lectures for seniors or foreign students.

Students are instead required to participate in numerous development projects. However, although the North plans countless bold projects, most of them end up incomplete due to lack to resources and materials.

For example, the initial project to built 100,000 houses has stopped only 20 percent of the way through. Some parts of the project could not even progress further than groundbreaking.

Yet, development of areas including the cemetery of the late leader is progressing as planned, showing Pyongyang’s drive to divinize Kim Il-sung.

The schools are to be reopened next April, after the birthday of the late Kim.

By Kang Yoon-seung
(koreacolin@gmail.com)
Intern reporter