The construction projects in Pyongyang are treated as community events. On news broadcasts, citizens are shown bringing food to workers or playing music for them. The state holds celebrations for groundbreakings and completions, as well.
The last time North Korea publicly admitted to such a major failure was in April 2012 after a botched satellite launch. There, a sullen news anchorwoman read a statement on television.
In this instance, the North displayed the news both on the Korean Central News Agency Web site and in its Workers’ Party paper. The admission comes at an awkward time for the North, which has spent weeks criticizing South Korea for its response to a ferry sinking that left more than 300 people dead or missing.