According to information provided by Daily NK, donju – that is, private entrepreneurs and traders – buy apartments on the upper and lower floors of luxury blocks and then connect them with internal stairs. The cost of such properties exceeds PLN 300,000. Chinese yuan (approximately USD 41.3 thousand). The transformation of the premises is carried out by renovation brigades composed of veterans and demobilized soldiers, competing for orders based on their reputation for quality of workmanship.
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This is how the rich in North Korea protect their wealth
According to the informant, the fashion for two-level apartments results not only from the desire to emphasize social status, but above all from the need to protect property. In North Korea, large amounts of cash can be confiscated at any time during state intervention. Investing in real estate helps reduce this risk because it is more difficult to cash in and their value can help rebuild wealth in the event of political problems.
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Some donju go even further, purchasing additional apartments to increase their financial security. The prices of such luxury properties on the secondary market exceed one million Chinese yuan (approximately USD 137,700). Additionally, installing Chinese surveillance cameras outside buildings is becoming more and more popular. The cameras act as early warning systems, allowing owners to hide valuable items from unexpected raids by the services.
