[남북의 창] 탄광마다 대대적 증산운동…불법 수출과 연관 있나? 외 [요즘 북한은] / KBS 2026.07.18.

North Korea recently decided to modernize its coal industry through a plenary meeting of the Workers' Party. North Korean media outlets are continuously publicizing that a large-scale coal production increase campaign is being carried out at various coal mines. It appears that through this, they are aiming to boost overall economic performance while also seeking illegal exports to circumvent international sanctions. [Report] The Sunchon District Coal Mine in South Pyongan Province is a representative anthracite coal production base in North Korea. It is reported that coal production for the month of June reached 261% of the target. They are boasting that they produced an additional 10,000 tons of coal in the first half of this year. They attribute this to the production increase campaign that boosted the productivity of the workers. [Korean Central Television/July 9: "Through a socialist patriotic movement and a revolutionary mass movement, with one person taking on two or three times the work, we are exceeding our daily plans."] The production increase campaign at the Myeongchon District Coal Mine in North Hamgyong Province was also introduced. It was reported that coal production is continuously increasing by modifying coal wagons to enhance coal transport capacity and improving tunneling equipment. They state that this increase in coal production is entirely intended to repay the benevolence of the Supreme Leader. [Shin Dong-hyok / Head of Sudong Coal Mine, South Hamgyong Coal Mining Complex: "Constantly thinking about how to repay (Chairman Kim Jong-un's) love and trust by mining more coal, we are currently exceeding the implementation of the people's economic plan by schedule every day."] North Korea's Rodong Sinmun reported that a large-scale campaign to increase production is being carried out at each coal mine in accordance with the Party's policy to modernize the coal industry. As coal is a core energy source for North Korea's power generation and heavy industry sectors, this appears to be an intention to boost economic performance through increased production. At the same time, it was reported that new housing complexes will be constructed in coal mining villages. This is interpreted as an effort to boost the morale of coal miners. [Kim Young-hee / Director of the North Korea Development Institute: "It is a core resource used as raw material and fuel for all industries, such as metals, chemicals, and cement. Earning foreign currency through coal exports was naturally one of North Korea's most critical issues. I wonder if they are pursuing a policy to boost work motivation by improving (living conditions)."] Meanwhile, indications have recently been detected that North Korea is engaging in illegal coal exports with the tacit approval of China and Russia; it is presumed that such exports are also linked to North Korea's increased coal production. [Anchor] ▲ Introducing summer water activities… ‘Regime propaganda’ without a single gap ▲ During the sweltering summer, North Korean residents are enjoying water activities and swimming just as much as we are. North Korea designates July and August as Marine Sports Month every year. On the occasion of Marine Day on the 12th, they did not leave out propaganda claiming that they are "fully enjoying socialist civilization" while showing happy scenes of residents visiting water parks. [Report] Munsu Water Park, a North Korean version of a water park located in the capital, Pyongyang. With the summer vacation underway, many students and families are reportedly visiting the park to enjoy water activities. In addition to water play equipment, the park is equipped with volleyball courts, rock climbing walls, and other recreational facilities, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of leisure activities. [Ri Seol-hyang / Manager of Munsu Water Park Management Office: "People are having a great time learning how to swim and jumping into the water."] An amusement park in Nampo City, which serves as Pyongyang's outer port, recently completed renovation work. They are promoting that the park is receiving a positive response from residents after paving roads, installing new pumping equipment at the water park, and refurbishing the sandy beach. [Korean Central Television / July 12: "We have established another distinctive cultural hub where workers and youth students visiting this place (Waudo Resort) can fully enjoy socialist civilization."] At the swimming pool of Kim Il Sung University, training is underway to improve students' swimming skills. It is reported that students are being instructed to learn at least one swimming stroke, as swimming helps improve physical fitness. [Ryu Gang / Faculty Member, Kim Il Sung University: "Swimming involves exercising under constant pressure underwater, which expands lung capacity, improves heart activity, and, as a full-body workout, helps to create a beautiful physique."] In observance of North ...