SEOUL, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kim Jong Un vowed to "transform" North Korea with a drive to build public health facilities, leisure complexes and industrial plants over a third of the country, state media said Friday. "We are now standing on the starting line of our gigantic struggle for another year, aimed at transforming the regions," Kim said. Images released by state media showed Kim shovelling soil alongside other officials at a ceremony attended by an excited crowd clapping and waving North Korean flags. Photos showed a large, dramatic celebratory explosion that state media described as "thrilling". North Korea has long been criticised for prioritising the military and its banned weapons programmes over adequately providing for its people.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 30, 2026 16:07 UTC