" wrote:
On 12/05/2013 20:47, Recliner wrote:
" wrote:
On 12/05/2013 15:21, Recliner wrote:
Mizter T wrote:


Would you say that Pyongyang is generally a rather small town?

I wouldn't go that far, but by Asian standards, it's not a large city. As
admission is restricted, you don't get the normal influx of peasants
looking for pavements paved with gold, and we saw no evidence of beggars or
homeless or even unemployed people. You do see a few shacks, but not the
typical large shanty towns or illegally extended properties. I presume only
those with jobs or academic places in the city are allowed to live there,
so it keeps it tidy.

It's neither about jobs or academic places, so much as it is about
political loyalty, if you want to live in Pyongyang.

Presumably only people with high 'songbun'? Of course, without it,
Pyongyang jobs and places in good universities would be impossible to come
by, regardless of skills or talent.


There are also lots of
apparently abandoned building projects which show evidence of very poor
workmanship (the concrete looks hand moulded).

Because it is hand moulded.

Even their motorway bridges look to have been built that way. I wonder how
many buildings and bridges collapse? Of course we'd hear nothing of it
abroad.