Why does everyone always focus so much on architecture? Like, if you really wanna visualize how South Korea is materially much better off than North Korea, just use the satellite view at night where North Korea is almost completely absent of lights.
There’s a million better things to criticize North Korea for besides having commie blocks. Especially considering the pic they chose genuinely doesn’t look that bad.
Such a weird attempt at a meme from these folks.
“Commie blocks” can be quite nice if renovated and repaired regularly. The big problem with them is when they’re basically left to rot, with elevators that haven’t been inspected in over 2 decades, corroded water pipes, and jury-rigged electricals.
Edit: Should also probably mention that tenement blocks were absolutely perfect for their explicit goal: building pretty decent housing cheaply and quickly for post WW2 countries flattened by war.
And they provide high-density housing where everyone lives close to public transit and few people need a car. Then, your work, a mall, a park etc. can be three tram stops away.
