The large-scale demolition and reconstruction of the North Korean mountain town of Samjiyon has been completed, the country’s state media declared Tuesday, with leader Kim Jong Un on hand to cut the ribbon in an opening ceremony the previous day. 

The rebuilding of Samjiyon Township was considered under the now-completed second stage, with the third and final stage, which kicked off with Monday’s ceremony, encompassing more construction in surrounding areas.

The target completion date for the entirety of the Samjiyon County construction project was repeated in a speech given at the ceremony by