North Korean authorities from around the country have pulled a total of 100,000 young people from their work and studies and sent them to build a new residential mega project in Pyongyang, according to state media on Sunday, in what appears to be an unusually large mobilization campaign.

The Rodong Sinmunsaid Youth League officials conducted the “volunteer” drive over the last month in response to the ruling party’s “demand” and “summons” to mobilize the large number of young people to build a “new street” of 3,700 homes. The project deadline is the party foundation day on Oct. 10, or