North Korea Today No. 212

Chungjin City Changes Labor Laws After Criticism from the Central Party
Lecture on "Never trespass on or steal from the government-owned grain farm"
Eunduk County, forty women are missing
Eunduk County, Lectures about restricting illegal border-crossing
Manpo City, open execution of human trafficker
Kangye City, Public Prosecutors Discharged because of Luxury Homes

Chungjin City Changes Labor Laws After Criticism from the Central Party
Chungjin City of North Hamgyong Province, which had decided not to restrict under-age labor at the market since August 26th, changed its decision after receving criticism from the Central Party. The office of North Hamgyong Province is challenging the decision from the Party and ordered the City Party of Chungjin to investigate juvenile workers again. On August 28th, the City Party had a conference regarding management of the market. The conference was attended by the head of the regional police station, director and assistant director of the market management office of each division, the head of the public prosecutor’s station, and the Chairman of the People’s Committee.

The conference’s decision states: “Starting September 1st, 2008, females under forty years old cannot sell at the market and all the goods they have will be confiscated. The market management office will give permission to females over forty-one years of age. The Regional People's Assembly(구역인민위원회) will be in charge of keeping the market order. The regional police station will handle those people who do not follow the new market management rule, and is also responsible for increasing awareness of the change in the law. Legal controls at the market should be strengthened, anyone who violates the rule will be punished." The Party Secretary of Chungjin City(청진시당 책임비서) said, "Make a plan to deal with residents who do not follow the new market management. It could be compulsory. But do not fight with people and try to avoid conflict by restricting people's public opinions and behavior. Be careful not to create a collective clash similar to the last time and to also not aggravate public opinion."

Lecture on "Never trespass on or steal from the government-owned grain farm"
An increasing number of farms in South Hwanghae, South Pyongan and South Hamgyong Province are having problems with corn robbery. The party is holding lectures on "never trespass on or steal from the government-owned farm." The lecture explains that if a farmer steals more than an ear of corn, his food for the fall will be reduced by 20kg and if the amount stolen is more than five ears, the thief will be sent to the discipline center for three months. A farm in South Hwanghae Province lost hundreds of ears of corn in a single night. The amount stolen could fill a space of 200 to 300 pyong평. Due to bad weather, corn in South Pyongan Province had poor pollination. In addition, fertilizer was delivered late and thus was applied inefficiently. Therefore, the yield for this year will be very low. Corn thieves will also decrease the harvest. Thus, the party ordered every farm to be more vigilant during the day and night.

Eunduk County, forty women are missing
In Eunduk County of North Hamgyong Province, forty women have gone missing since this past March. Many young women are leaving their families and going to China because the food price has skyrocketed and the supply is still insufficient. Approximately four to five women left during the spring. Since July, the number of women leaving has increased, with twenty leaving in August. As housewives have left, the number of homeless (Kkotjebi) has also been increasing.

Eunduk County, Lectures about restricting illegal border-crossing
The Propaganda Department of the Armed Forces Party of Eunduk County, North Hamgyong Province dispatched some of its members to educate neighborhood units regarding restrictions on illegal border crossing. The purpose of this education is to prevent residents from even thinking about crossing the river illegally. This will be accomplished by teaching people about the punishment they will receive when they get caught. It is more than simple education. If a family member crosses the river, then the rest of the family will be brought to public attention, threatened, then humiliated. The lecture emphasized that residents should educate their children about this issue.

Manpo City, open execution of human trafficker
On August 26th, two of three offenders of the Human-trafficking who sold women to China were executed in public. Six leading members of the City Party and seven company managers and party secretaries were discharged because they lived in luxury houses. In early August, there was an open execution of drug dealers.

Kangye City, Public Prosecutors Discharged because of Luxury Homes
Two prosecutors of the Kangye Public Prosecutor office were caught during an inspection by the anti-socialist investigation patrol and lost their jobs. The prosecutors had secretly hoarded building materials that were imported last year and used them to rebuild their houses. The newly built houses were confiscated because these luxury homes were built with materials that belong to the country. The discharged prosecutors were deported to the local farm. Their houses will be distributed to the poorest soldiers, who can fit three families in each house.

North Korea Today No. 211

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

No. 211 September 2008

Key Party Officials Informed in Advance of Absence of Chairman Kim at the 60th DPRK Foundation’s Anniversary Ceremony on September 9th
North Koreans Do Not Consider Absence of Chairman Kim at the Ceremony a Big Deal
Chairman Kim Enraged at the Report of Military Officers Going Hungry
Provincial Party Leaders Determined To Secure Food Supply for the Military
Fall Crop to Military, None for Farmers

Key Party Officials Informed in Advance of Absence of Chairman Kim at the 60th DPRK Foundation’s Anniversary Ceremony on September 9th
It has come to light that North Korean authorities informed key party officials in advance regarding the absence of Chairman Kim of the National Defense Committee at the 60th DPRK foundation’s anniversary ceremony on September 9th. His absence at the 60th DPRK foundation’s anniversary ceremony has caused a great deal of speculation outside of the country on the status of his health. In spite of the rumors, domestically, a relative calm has been maintained. Although it is not possible to confirm the Chairman’s health problems, the understanding on the part of the high-ranking party officials seems to be that ‘personal safety’ was the main reason for his absence. According to one official, speculation in South Korea that something may have happened to the Chairman or that he may have died, a few years ago are utter nonsense. He goes as far as claiming that Chairman Kim has been in contact with foreign dignitaries such as China’s Vice Chairman Shi Jin Ping. He protested that it is ridiculous that the foreign media would spread such nonsense and blow things out of proportion. He claimed that while it is true that the Chairman’s health is not optimal, it is not to the extent to which the foreign media is making it out to be. The Chairman was not in attendance because of issues regarding his personal safety. The Chairman himself insisted on attending the ceremony, but was advised against it because of these personal safety issues.

However, a former high-ranking party official who defected from the regime claimed that there was never such an incident where an advance notification was sent out in regards to the Chairman’s most important public appearance. This ex-party official claimed that advance notification on the morning of the ceremonial day would be considered highly unusual and that it cannot be any other reason except for the Chairman’s health, and also said that personal safety issues are just a facade to hide the truth about his poor condition.

North Koreans Do Not Consider Absence of Chairman Kim at the Ceremony a Big Deal
North Koreans consider Chairman Kim’s absence from the 60th DPRK foundation’s anniversary ceremony on the September 9th ‘neither unusual nor strange.’ He has in fact missed many important ceremonies before and his absences at those times were not considered unusual either. Whenever he missed important ceremonies, it was emphasized through lectures that “Chairman Kim’s concerns and worries about the nation’s industry and agriculture caused him to lose many nights’ sleep. Beginning at dawn, he visits many factories and farms, making no time for sleep and eating only a rice-ball for a meal.” As before, it is circulated that “the Chairman missed the ceremony because of illness caused by his many visits without any rest.”

Chairman Kim Enraged at the Report of Military Officers Going Hungry
On September 2nd, Chairman Kim of the National Defense Committee received a recent report on the food crisis. It was reported to him that many regions are suffering from severe food shortages. Apparently, he was even shocked to receive word that emergency measures are especially necessary because the military has run out of food as those stationed in Hwanghae Provinces and Pyongan Provinces do not have any food reserves left. Overall, the military is low on rations, the very idea which enraged the Chairman. Sources say that he berated his officials shouting, “How could you let this situation get to be this bad? What have you been doing?”

Chairman Kim was upset by the fact that soldiers fed twice a day are considered lucky and that some soldiers are only fed once a day. Some military units even have their officers go out to neighboring farms to borrow food. If those officers are unable to obtain more food, the soldiers go hungry. When the officers have to skip meals, the subordinate soldiers go hungry without fail. Chairman Kim was angered by the severity of the situation to the point of claiming he was surrounded by idiots. He was so agitated by the situation he even collapsed at one point. He ordered that any grain imported from China and food obtained from outside sources should first be routed to the military in order to guarantee adequate resources for it.

Provincial Party Leaders Determined To Secure Food Supply for the Military
In response to Chairman Kim’s rage and ill health, provincial party leaders are determined to apply their utmost efforts to secure a food supply for the military because “Our Dear Leader should not be burdened with more worries.” Leading provincial party officials requested that city and county party officials “release any food reserves to the military in order to lessen Dear Leader’s worries.” In return, city and county party officials asked the chairperson of the People’s Assembly for cooperation in sending supplies to the military. In the case of Hamgyung Province, the City of Chungjin decided to send 300 MT of corn obtained from foreign countries and 80 MT of dried noodles(꽈면) from China to the military. The City of Hoeryong also decided to send 400 MT of corn from foreign sources by train to the military stationed in Hwanghae and Jagang Provinces. The loaded trains left on September 12th.”

Fall Crop to Military, None for Farmers
Chairmans of People’s Assembly of Farms in Hwanghae and Pyongan Provinces agreed in one voice, “This year officials will be confiscating the entire harvest living nothing for the farmers themselves.” Grain from last year’s crop has been long exhausted and no reserves remain. It is expected that even with entire fall crop going to military it is not sufficient to cover the required amount for the militaries therefore, none will be left for the farmers. A party official of South Hwanghae Province says, “Our dear Leader, after receiving reports on the food crisis for this year, repeatedly emphasized that beginning next year all efforts should be directed toward agriculture.” The official also added that Chairman Kim’s health problem may have been a result of his concern over the food crisis.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees
If you need further information, please contact

Good Friends (Korea)
E-mail:intnetwork@jungto.org
Tel:82-2-587-8996 / Fax:82-2-587-8998

Good Friends USA (Washington, DC)
E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr
Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)
http://www.goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/

North Korea Today No. 210

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY

http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

No. 210 September 2008

Soldiers Argued and Fought while Trying To Steal Corn
In Joorye Market, Pyongsung, a Group Fight Between Market Managers and Trade Women
Residents in Demolished Areas with No Money Cannot Receive a House
71 Year-Old Man Killed Himself after Being Kicked Out of His Home
Ahnju Fertilizer Factory Stopped its Operation since July 20
Person Returning Home From Japan Runs Away on a Boat
The Dukchun Automobile Company Host a Ceremony Following “Dear General’s Measures”

Soldiers Argued and Fought while Trying To Steal Corn
When soldiers of a light infantry battalion based in Jeoncheon County (전천군), Jagang Province, stole corn from a cornfield belonging to a military base in Manpo City, they ended up in a fight with the security guards on duty. When the soldiers went to Manpo City to do a logging operation, they became hungry and stole the corn at the farm around the logging area. When soldiers of Manpo City guarding the field found the thieves, they tried to stop them and began to fight. Because of their disadvantage in numbers, the guards were brutally beaten and some even killed.

When the Defense Security Command(보위사령부) received a report or this incident, they arrested all the soldiers involved in the fight as well as their commanding officers. Soldiers of the light infantry battalion often work in physically challenging jobs such as mining, which has earned them a reputation for being the more rugged group in the military. This is a group where the power of your fist matter more than the ribbons and insignias on your uniform. Nevertheless, it is also notorious for its discipline and loyalty among its members. When their commander was arrested, the soldiers of this battalion quit logging, stole corn, and killed livestock in the village. Although the Defense Security Command warned them several times, their intended violence did not decrease, and eventually resulted in all the arrested officers and soldiers being returned to the logging area.

In Joorye Market, Pyongsung, a Group Fight Between Market Managers and Trade Women
Last August 17, there was a group fight between women traders and the market managers in Joorye Market, Pyongsung. When women traders were prohibited from entering the market they started trading in the alley and around the public buildings. The managers inspected them and began to fight with them. When the market managers prohibited them from trading in order to control disorder in the market, the traders complained and began to fight by scratching their faces and pulling the women’s hair. Curious bystanders who witnessed this fight cheered for the trade women. Some people cursed the managers by saying, “They unrightfully prevented the women from trading. They might as well have killed the women instead.” The chief of the managers reported this incident to the police, but the fight was over when police officers arrived at the site. As the food shortage worsens and the trading policies come under tighter control, the women traders’ resistance is becoming more and more prevalent.

Residents in Demolished Areas with No Money Cannot Receive a House
Since April 18 of this year, houses along the railroad between East Sariwon and Seoheung Station, North Hwanghae Province, have been demolished. Now the evacuated residents are living in shacks and huts. Because the authority demolished their houses without securing enough temporary housing, about 200 residents were forced to make and live in huts on the mountains or riversides. Staff of 1210 Construction Enterprise provided good building sites to residents who bribed them with items like packs of cigarettes. Although the authority tried to give residents housing sites in any cases, most residents who do not have money to build a house cannot even imagine possessing their own house. Of 200 households, only about 60 is building their house, while the others are living in huts without any concrete promise for their own houses. Ko Byong-soon (55) deplored, “When it is hard to have a meal a day, how can I dare to dream of building my house? It is terrible to think of this unchanged living condition.”

71 Year-Old Man Killed Himself after Being Kicked Out of His Home
On August 13, Lee, Duk-soo (71) of Cheonggye-ri (청계리), Bongsan County, North Hwanghae Province, killed himself by hanging. After his house was struck down and cleared away, he was forced to live in a hut. And during the Spring Hardship Period (춘궁기) his wife died from brain hemorrhage. Although he has a son, the son’s situation was too desperate for him to raise the question whether he could live with the son. With his wife passed away, he had no one to turn to. He lived forty more days, then hung himself on a tree branch that had supported the hut.

Before killing himself, the old man Lee Duk-soo often expressed his dissatisfaction toward the government of its policy of removing houses without any countermeasure. Those people whose houses had also been cleared away filed a complaint with the Provincial Party, indicating, “The reason the old man Lee Duk-soo killed himself was because he lost all sense of security when his house was struck down. There is no guarantee that another Lee Duk-soo would not happen.” The Secretary of Organization of Provincial Party, North Hwanghae Province, called a meeting of administrative officials from Sariwon City, Bongsan County, Shingye County, and other areas. They investigated the situation of the people who lost their houses and discussed possible countermeasures. As a result, they decided, “the area plants should build houses within 16 days and have the people who live in the huts along the road relocate to the new houses as soon as possible. The supervisor of the unit that was unable to build the houses within 16 days will be fired,” it warned.

Ahnju Fertilizer Factory Stopped its Operation since July 20
From July 20 to present (end of August), the Ahnju Fertilizer Factory, South Pyongan Province, was unable to produce any fertilizer. From the first half of this year, the laborers did not receive any food distribution even when the factory was producing. Now all production has stopped, and the workers have stopped reporting to work. While the factory was producing, they were able to survive without receiving ration by pilfering fertilizers. However, now there is nothing to salvage from the factory. The Chief and the Unit Supervisors visited the laborers at their homes, and told them, “if you are not going to report to work, you better bring same amount of fertilizer you stole from the factory.” The laborers laughed at them, as they considered the pilfered fertilizer to be in place of the food rations they did not receive. Gong Cheol-ho (41) was outraged and said, “How can they say that to people who eat only porridge twice a day? They should be begging us to come back to work, not yelling at us when they don’t even have food rations to give out. Who do they think they are? Their stomach is full and their back is warm, and so they don’t care how hard it is for us.”

Person Returning Home From Japan Runs Away on a Boat
On August 2nd, Kim, In-soo (48) and his family, who had returned to this country (from Japan), ran away on a boat (전마선). Kim obtained a boat and used it for fishing squids with his brother, Kim, Myong-soo (46). This year, although there were plenty of squids, there were too many boats catching squids as well, and consequently, Kim was unable to catch much. He got permission to advance to Bangjin-dong, Chungam District. He took his whole family to Bangjin-dong for fishing but after fifteen days they suddenly disappeared. The Kim brothers and their families’ disappearance were not noticed until the next day, August 3rd. Authorities suspect that they had gone out to the public sea and were rescued by a foreign boat and went to Japan. The Security office of Bangjin-dong had heightened the surveillance of people that had returned (from Japan) and spot-checked the overnight stay registration. Those officials that authorized Kim brothers to go far out into the sea were reprimanded, and the Security Unit Chief and Vice Chief who received money and allowed the Kim brothers to go out far into the sea were discharged.

The Dukchun Automobile Company Host a Ceremony Following “Dear General’s Measures”
The Dukchun Seungri Automobile Company, South Pyongan Province, host a ceremony following “Dear General’s Measures (장군님 방침 전달 모임).” According a staff’s statement, Chairman Kim Jong-Il who received a report about problems in the automobile companies issued measures to improve productivity by inputting “money of the Party to solve the current issues.” At the ceremony, the company’s executives appealed, “Every worker must admire the General’s intention and contribute to making a great country.” The work units of the company made an oath to this affect everyday.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees
If you need further information, please contact

Good Friends (Korea)
E-mail:intnetwork@jungto.org
Tel:82-2-587-8996 / Fax:82-2-587-8998

Good Friends USA (Washington, DC)
E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr
Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)
http://www.goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/

North Korea Today No. 209

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

No. 209 September 2008

Ministry of Agriculture Estimate for 2008 Crop
Granary region in South Hwanghae Province, “This year’s yield rate lower than expected”
Woonsong-ri Area in Ahnju City, 38 Died of Starvation.
Punished After Distributing Ground Corncob That Was Used To Feed Livestock to the People
Military Unit 1 of Division 46 Survives On Eating Grass-Meals During the Spring Famine.
When told “not to rob corn” reply was, “Think of it as support for our nation’s assault group”
Galma-dong, Wonsan City, Gathers Their Corn to Help Poor Neighbors
[Opinion] Lives of Domestic Animals Are Placed Before Human Lives In Order To Maintain the Livestock Industry

Ministry of Agriculture Estimate for 2008 Crop
On August 17, The Ministry of Agriculture(농업성) ordered each county’s and city's Farming Village Management Committee (농촌경영위원회) to estimate the grain yield for 2008. Each farm used to calculate their projected grain yield until two years ago. Now the Department of Agriculture visits each farm annually to record the yield. Despite an attempt to streamline the process, false reports still plague the operation. Since last year, the county and city's farming management Committee has delegated their chief engineer and technical experts to each farm, where they conducted the estimation of grain production. The committee enables the delegate to do their work without permission from the farm. By checking the amount of moisture of grains in one square feet, they can estimate the yield of grain in 2.45 acres. The workers in the farm often try to manipulate the delegates to reduce or increase the estimation.

Granary region in South Hwanghae Province, “This year’s yield rate lower than expected”
The Farming Village Management Committee in South Hwanghae Province reported that harvests in counties with big fields were bad. Jaeryong County, for example, is a granary region that primarily harvests rice. Because of flood damage last year, yield rate was low and people of this county suffered deeply, some dying of starvation. The situation is this county hit an all time low when people started peeling off the skins of trees to eat them. We cannot expect much from this year’s harvests either. Many farmers were simply not able to farm. Further, arid weather condition dried up waters in the farmlands and the heavy rain this July devastated many farmlands. Situation in Yeonahn and Baechun Counties are not that different. Despite the fact that regions with big fields received about 1.5-fold more of fertilizers, the harvest does not look very promising. It is predicted, “Next year will be even tougher because, in the western side of the country, farming was particularly bad in the regions with big fields.”

Woonsong-ri Area in Ahnju City, 38 Died of Starvation.
Thirty eight people have died of starvation during a period of farming hardship (the season of spring poverty) in Woonsong-ri area in Ahnju City, South Pyongan Province. Since the corn and peanut harvest in August, starvation throughout the county has gone down, but there are still a lot of people who do not come to work due to a lack of food. The farm at the Booksong-ri borrowed food from wealthy civilians to overcome the farming hardships of last spring. The poor have had to repay eight to twelve tons of rice this coming fall, and are already concerned they won’t be able to meet the quota.

Punished After Distributing Ground Corncob That Was Used To Feed Livestock to the People
In a farm located near Pyongyang, people have distributed 3kg of ground corncob (옥수수 묵지가루), normally food for livestock, because there were nothing else to eat. This was sort of a last resort option to bring out starving farmers to the workplace. The head of farm management committee (농장관리위원장) has kept saying, “Let’s overcome this hardship and manage our farm well” and encouraged people by visiting each one of the farmers’ houses only to receive cold welcomes. “Even cows and horses have to eat in order to work, let alone humans. How can we work without being fed? Since the farm cannot solve our food problem, we have to find solution ourselves. Isn’t that the only way?” This is typical complaints from the farmers. So, distributing portions ground corncob that were originally supposed to go to the livestock was a last resort option for the Committee. However, even this action was reported to the local police department and the head of farm management committee was suspended from active duty for 6 months.

Military Unit 1 of Division 46 Survives On Eating Grass-Meals During the Spring Famine
Because Kangwon Province lacks in the numbers of ancillary work places, the living conditions of families of military officials are very bad. The food that is distributed into the military base is often robbed by the military officials, leaving low-ranked soldiers short on food. Thus, soldiers generally hope to avoid being placed in the Unit 1. An ex-soldier who recently finished his military duty from the Unit 1 says that he survived on eating grass-meals (풀밥) two times a day. If we observe the health conditions of the soldiers in Unit 1 of the Division 46, 40-50 out of 100 people are undernourished. Many of these soldiers were actually told to go back home. Nevertheless, some of them still hesitated to go back because they do not want to show their thin bodies to their parents. Out of concern, some Units have begun segregating undernourished patients for special treatment systems.

When told “not to rob corn” reply was, “Think of it as support for our nation’s assault group”
Dukheung-ri and Eunheung-ri (village) in Taechun County, North Pyongan Province, are where the assault group currently resides to help the construction of water systems. In this summer, the cornfields in these villages looked like battlefields. After hard work and not being fed properly, the soldiers swept through the cornfields that belonged to the farmers. They even took corn that was not ripened yet, destroying the cornfields. The Farm Management Committee visited the commanding unit numerous times to report such incidence and request for countermeasures, but was no use. Instead, what they heard was that “farmers should think of this as support to the nation’s assault group who’s carrying on an important mission right now.” The farmers think of this group as nothing more than thieves.

Galma-dong, Wonsan City, Gathers Their Corn to Help Poor Neighbors
The Neighborhood Unit 23, in Galma-dong, Wonsan City, Kangwon Province, collected corns to send to the neighboring regions where people are suffering from hunger. One of the people who received help was Kim Sungman whose wife died from hunger last May and whose son severely hurt his leg while working in a factory. Kim’s son started working in the factory last July after being denied service in the military because he was physically too weak. Kim is not able to work either because of his own health problems. The foreman of neighborhood unit and the director of the village office, along with the workers at the village office, decided to help Kim’s family when they heard about the unfortunate story. Other families followed by providing at least 200g of corns. The foreman of neighborhood unit said, “We are glad for being able to help, but still worried at the same time because nobody can guarantee how they will survive when we are no longer in position to help others.”

[Opinion] Lives of Domestic Animals Are Placed Before Human Lives In Order To Maintain the Livestock Industry
News broke that a livestock cooperative farm in a neighboring area of Pyongyang had distributed animal fodder to farm workers who were themselves suffering from food shortages. What is striking about this story is not the fact that the farm provided animal fodder to human beings who were starving, but the fact that the head of the farm management committee was given six-month suspension due to his decision. As he had given away fodder to workers, the farm faced a lack of feed for animal livestock, which led to some damage to the livestock farming.

This year, farmers have barely sustained by eating grass, which is far worse than the ground corncob. As summer passes by, the food provided by the U.S. as an aid are running short and a new crop of grain is protected by security guards due to a severe competition (to snatch grain) among soldiers at nearby military bases and construction labors. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture has sent out a group of officers to farms across the nation in order to estimate this year's harvest but authorities have only received gloomy reports from these officers.

As the current situation continues, with people desperately searching even in trashcans for food, the chief of the farm management committee must have had no choice but to distribute animal fodder to farm workers. Yet, it is also an inevitable reality of North Korea that the managing chief should be responsible for giving fodder away to the workers, which ultimately has led to some damage to the livestock industry by.

In fact, it is difficult to fully understand what psychological conflicts North Korean officers might go through between their duty to protect the livestock industry and the duty to save workers' lives. Still, it is sad and disturbing to look at the reality of the situation forcing officials to put livestock as security for people's lives, and to neglect people's lives in order to save livestock. To re-emphasize, the South Korean government should still provide unconditional food support for North Korea. The South's help, at this moment, is the only way to save people's lives as well as to protect the stock industry in the North.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees
If you need further information, please contact

Good Friends (Korea)
E-mail:intnetwork@jungto.org
Tel:82-2-587-8996 / Fax:82-2-587-8998

Good Friends USA (Washington, DC)
E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr
Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)
http://www.goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/

North Korea Today No. 208

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY

http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

No. 208 September 2008

Lecture for Officials, A Stern Warning
Heechun City Machine Factory Caught Privately Manufacturing Parts
All 15 Prosecutors Arrested at Dukchun Prosecutor’s Office
Accountant at a Pulp Mill in Gilju, “I could not help myself but to embezzle the company money to pay for the reception expenses.”
The Inspection of Anti-Social Activities in Sinuiju Is Extended Until the End of the Year
Strengthened Legal Regulations Regarding Pine Mushrooms

Lecture for Officials, A Stern Warning
Recently, there were lectures given to military officials in cities and counties throughout the nation. The lecture was instigated by an inspection report, stating that the amount of illegal and criminal activities committed by officials is greater than that of civilians. Cases of overlooking drug trafficking, involvement in drug sales, taking bribes in return for covering up smugglers in the border area, and hiding assets accumulated through illegal actives were all uncovered during the inspections. The lecture report was based on the findings of the inspection team, which was made up of members of the Central Party anti-social activity’s group and the police. The lecture report was prepared with the following content:

“The officials cheat the party, betray the trust of the party and fall into crime when they become blinded by money and material wealth. In some areas, officials care only for their own comfort and ignore the suffering of the workers, treating them like objects. Other officials look down on their employees as more money fills their own pockets. The workers live in warehouses or in public buildings, putting up with discomfort and fatigue because they don’t have a home. However, some officials use the materials that belong to the factory and public enterprise to turn their houses into luxury homes. From now on, regardless of the position, official or not, whoever commits a crime by conspiring with law-breaking merchants, by protecting merchants from other provinces and by providing lodging unlawfully will be prosecuted by law and expelled to rural areas.”

One of the officials who attended the lecture gave his reaction, “There has never been a time when officials were warned with this sort of declaration. This is a stiff warning against illegal activities by officials.”

Heechun City Machine Factory Caught Privately Manufacturing Parts
The Heechun City machine factory in Jagang Province had been producing parts for cars and tractors in addition to those intended for government use. Workers have been failing to show up for work since the factory stopped providing rations during the hunger crisis, so factory officials decided to produce additional parts in order to resolve the problem. On August 3, after selling the additional parts, the factory provided 5 kg of rice to each worker with the profit from their sale to a trading company in Heysan City. However, the county prosecutor’s office inspection teams conducted a thorough investigation to determine, “whether or not the money from the parts sale benefited the state, if the financial condition of the factory is good, as well as the status of the factory officials’ personal consumption.” The results of the investigation revealed that the factory officials on average took two million won from the parts sale and the workers received 5 kg of rice and some wages. On August 18, the production of extra parts stopped due to the inspection. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the reason behind the sudden inspection by the county prosecutor’s office was because some dissatisfied workers filed complaints at the prosecutor’s office. The workers felt unhappy about the huge gaps between lives of the factory manager, county secretary, and some of the officials’ whose livelihood suddenly improved and the lives of the workers.

All 15 Prosecutors Arrested at Dukchun Prosecutor’s Office
All of the 15 prosecutors at the Dukchun prosecutor’s office have been arrested. The charge is corruption in collusion with residents who engaged illegal business. Except for the three low-level prosecutors who were charged with minor crimes, the chief and 12 other prosecutors had their houses confiscated and, depending on the severity of the crime, received a punishment of expulsion and more than 10 years of re-education.

Accountant at a Pulp Mill in Gilju, “I could not help myself but to embezzle the company money to pay for the reception expenses.”
An accounting manager at a pulp mill in Gilju in the North Hamgyong Province was caught during a prosecutor’s investigation and interrogated. The mill has sold various size paper to provide corn for their workers. However, the accounting manager was charged and arrested for skimming 150 Won from the profits made from selling the papers. The accountant explained that he was hiding the money to secretly meet the requests made by the mill and the County Party’s officials. He said, “When the investigators from the Provincial Party and the Central Party visit, all kinds of reception expenses are needed. The company officials asked me to give them the money without making any record of it because they said they would pay back the money afterwards. But since the only way to make up the lost reception expenses was from the profits of the paper mill, I couldn’t help but to take some money out.”

The Inspection of Anti-Social Activities in Sinuiju Is Extended Until the End of the Year
The inspection of anti-social activities in Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province was planned to end on August 15, but it has been declared that the investigation will continue until the end of the year. The problem of luxurious houses owned by some residents has been selected as this year’s inspection issue. The city instructed that one-story houses higher than the standard height of 3. 8 meters are to be demolished. The city authorities regard the taller houses as the luxurious ones because they require more materials to build.

Strengthened Legal Regulations Regarding Pine Mushrooms
On August 22, the Central Party handed down a policy entitled “Tougher Regulations for Pine Mushrooms” to the city and military security authorities in North Hamgyong Province. The Party announced, “those who illegally pick up and distribute pine mushrooms are committing a criminal act which misappropriates North Korea’s revolutionary fund. In order to cope with the world-wide food shortage crisis and prepare for the revolutionary fund, we need to ensure necessary rice though well-managed foreign currency earning jobs, including pine mushroom sales to other countries. We thus decided to strengthen the regulations regarding pine mushrooms and the legal control of the mushrooms.” Accordingly, the crackdown on pine mushroom smuggling along the North Korea-China border has been intensified. The Party has given police stations and prosecutors the legal authority not only to crack down on the illegal pine mushroom trade but also to search for the mushroom traders’ houses. Some police circulate fake rumors, saying they are looking for people who can sell them pine mushrooms, in order to arrest illegal pine mushroom traders.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees
If you need further information, please contact

Good Friends (Korea)
E-mail:intnetwork@jungto.org
Tel:82-2-587-8996 / Fax:82-2-587-8998

Good Friends USA (Washington, DC)
E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr
Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)
http://www.goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/

North Korea Today No. 207

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY

http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

No. 207 September 2008

Five Homeless Children Die from Poison
The Homeless Beaten To Death
People Prefer Backpacks Due To Theft by the Homeless
More Parents Relying on the Elderly for Child Care
“Improve Teachers’ Abilities First”
Students of Gilju Elementary School Receive New Shoes

Five Homeless Children Die from Poison
On August 15th, five homeless children (Kkotjebi) died at Ganri station in South Pyongan Province. In less than an hour after they had eaten food that someone threw from the train, the children suffered from a stomachache and died soon after. While the homeless struggled for ten minutes, nobody tried to help them. Although there were many conductors and passengers waiting for trains, they only looked on as the Kkotjebi rolled over the floor with pain. Six homeless people ate the same food. Five of them died and one survived. As the children competed for food, the survivor was the one who could not eat enough because he was weak. The surviving child had a headache but no stomachache. He kept vomiting but recovered after one hour.

Although it was too late to save the lives of the Kkotjebis, the safety bureau considered their death to be strange and looked into the cause. They took the corpses to West Pyongyang People’s hospital to perform an autopsy and found the cause of death to be poison. While it is not yet known who did this or why, there is a strong speculation that someone purposely put poison in the food and did experiments on the homeless. The case was closed without further investigation because it was the death of homeless children who have no name and home. A witness at the scene said, “It is better for them to die. It is more comfortable to die when they are young than to struggle throughout their whole life without education and money. It might sound heartless but it is realistic.”

The Homeless Beaten To Death
Since July, the number of homeless people has increased and many of them have been injured or died from beatings all over the country. The homeless usually frequent parking lots, restaurants or food stands in the market. They steal food and eat it, even though they know they will be beaten to death for doing so. They are busy putting food into their mouths even when they are beaten. While their heads are bleeding, they only focused on eating and struggled with the pain caused by suddenly swallowing food. A woman who sees these kinds of boys very often said, “They will get sick and die if they don’t eat food, even in this way. I know their situation very well but I cannot give them food for free because of my financial situation.” The woman said these words with tears in the eyes. A few days ago, a boy younger than ten years old died from a beating in Chungjin City. He had stolen food but was soon caught. During a terrible kicking, his skull cracked and his whole body became covered with his blood. He floundered on the street but nobody helped him. Nobody tried to stop the people from beating the child. Even police officers looked at the scene impassively.

People Prefer Backpacks Due To Theft by the Homeless
Residents who go shopping at Soonam market in North Hamgyong Province have been robbed by the homeless. Older people are especially vulnerable to having their pocket picked when they count bills to pay. Police officers oversee the homeless, limiting their access to the market. The homeless, who cannot go into the market, prowl around and steal food, money and goods. As the number of people who suffer from the homeless has increased, the public has developed ways to guard against thievery. People prefer backpacks, as shoulder bags are snatched easily but a backpack is more difficult to grab. Closer to the area where the homeless often appear, people hold their backpacks tightly or carry the bag on their chest, as if they are hugging it. King Seong-rye (age 43), said she shared her tips about how to defend against the homeless with her neighbors.

More Parents Relying on the Elderly for Child Care
As nursery schools and kindergartens continue to increase their fees, more parents who cannot afford the new prices are pulling their children out of the programs. Parents say that it is hard to ignore when teachers say that the class window curtain is worn out and new velvet fabric is out in the market. Since teachers keep indirectly asking for money or goods, parents have to donate at least once or twice. Parents must pay attention to the requests because they want their children to get attention from teachers. Due to this method of indirectly charging more, many families do not send their children to nursery schools or kindergartens.

However, parents still need someone to take care of their children while they go to work. More and more, some parents are asking older neighbors to help with baby-sitting. Old people are not mobilized by the state for labor. While they stay at home, older women take good care of children with a small amount of food. They have not yet replaced the formal teachers of nursery schools or kindergartens, but parents are paying the elderly to take care of their children instead of the expensive institutions. However, more parents are also leaving their children at home or letting them play around the house.

“Improve Teachers’ Abilities First”
From August 2nd to the 5th, the education bureau of Jagang Province held a test to judge the learning ability of middle school students in Kanggye City. The results showed that students’ learning ability is very low. The low score shocked the provincial education bureau and the result was also reported to the Central Party. The Central Party agreed that improving teachers’ capabilities is necessary to advance students’ learning ability. Therefore, the Party ordered schools across the country “to elevate teachers’ abilities.” The education department of every region decided to evaluate teachers’ abilities.

Students of Gilju Elementary School Receive New Shoes
On August 17, six hundred new shoes were provided to the students of Gilju elementary school in Gilju County, North Hamgyong Province. These fabric gym shoes were made from materials that were sent from South Korea last year. Although the shoes were not a free gift, it was a very precious present to the children who had worn out shoes.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees
If you need further information, please contact

Good Friends (Korea)
E-mail:intnetwork@jungto.org
Tel:82-2-587-8996 / Fax:82-2-587-8998

Good Friends USA (Washington, DC)
E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr
Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)
http://www.goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/

North Korea Today No. 207

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY

http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

No. 207 September 2008

Five Homeless Children Die from Poison
The Homeless Beaten To Death
People Prefer Backpacks Due To Theft by the Homeless
More Parents Relying on the Elderly for Child Care
“Improve Teachers’ Abilities First”
Students of Gilju Elementary School Receive New Shoes

Five Homeless Children Die from Poison
On August 15th, five homeless children (Kkotjebi) died at Ganri station in South Pyongan Province. In less than an hour after they had eaten food that someone threw from the train, the children suffered from a stomachache and died soon after. While the homeless struggled for ten minutes, nobody tried to help them. Although there were many conductors and passengers waiting for trains, they only looked on as the Kkotjebi rolled over the floor with pain. Six homeless people ate the same food. Five of them died and one survived. As the children competed for food, the survivor was the one who could not eat enough because he was weak. The surviving child had a headache but no stomachache. He kept vomiting but recovered after one hour.

Although it was too late to save the lives of the Kkotjebis, the safety bureau considered their death to be strange and looked into the cause. They took the corpses to West Pyongyang People’s hospital to perform an autopsy and found the cause of death to be poison. While it is not yet known who did this or why, there is a strong speculation that someone purposely put poison in the food and did experiments on the homeless. The case was closed without further investigation because it was the death of homeless children who have no name and home. A witness at the scene said, “It is better for them to die. It is more comfortable to die when they are young than to struggle throughout their whole life without education and money. It might sound heartless but it is realistic.”

The Homeless Beaten To Death
Since July, the number of homeless people has increased and many of them have been injured or died from beatings all over the country. The homeless usually frequent parking lots, restaurants or food stands in the market. They steal food and eat it, even though they know they will be beaten to death for doing so. They are busy putting food into their mouths even when they are beaten. While their heads are bleeding, they only focused on eating and struggled with the pain caused by suddenly swallowing food. A woman who sees these kinds of boys very often said, “They will get sick and die if they don’t eat food, even in this way. I know their situation very well but I cannot give them food for free because of my financial situation.” The woman said these words with tears in the eyes. A few days ago, a boy younger than ten years old died from a beating in Chungjin City. He had stolen food but was soon caught. During a terrible kicking, his skull cracked and his whole body became covered with his blood. He floundered on the street but nobody helped him. Nobody tried to stop the people from beating the child. Even police officers looked at the scene impassively.

People Prefer Backpacks Due To Theft by the Homeless
Residents who go shopping at Soonam market in North Hamgyong Province have been robbed by the homeless. Older people are especially vulnerable to having their pocket picked when they count bills to pay. Police officers oversee the homeless, limiting their access to the market. The homeless, who cannot go into the market, prowl around and steal food, money and goods. As the number of people who suffer from the homeless has increased, the public has developed ways to guard against thievery. People prefer backpacks, as shoulder bags are snatched easily but a backpack is more difficult to grab. Closer to the area where the homeless often appear, people hold their backpacks tightly or carry the bag on their chest, as if they are hugging it. King Seong-rye (age 43), said she shared her tips about how to defend against the homeless with her neighbors.

More Parents Relying on the Elderly for Child Care
As nursery schools and kindergartens continue to increase their fees, more parents who cannot afford the new prices are pulling their children out of the programs. Parents say that it is hard to ignore when teachers say that the class window curtain is worn out and new velvet fabric is out in the market. Since teachers keep indirectly asking for money or goods, parents have to donate at least once or twice. Parents must pay attention to the requests because they want their children to get attention from teachers. Due to this method of indirectly charging more, many families do not send their children to nursery schools or kindergartens.

However, parents still need someone to take care of their children while they go to work. More and more, some parents are asking older neighbors to help with baby-sitting. Old people are not mobilized by the state for labor. While they stay at home, older women take good care of children with a small amount of food. They have not yet replaced the formal teachers of nursery schools or kindergartens, but parents are paying the elderly to take care of their children instead of the expensive institutions. However, more parents are also leaving their children at home or letting them play around the house.

“Improve Teachers’ Abilities First”
From August 2nd to the 5th, the education bureau of Jagang Province held a test to judge the learning ability of middle school students in Kanggye City. The results showed that students’ learning ability is very low. The low score shocked the provincial education bureau and the result was also reported to the Central Party. The Central Party agreed that improving teachers’ capabilities is necessary to advance students’ learning ability. Therefore, the Party ordered schools across the country “to elevate teachers’ abilities.” The education department of every region decided to evaluate teachers’ abilities.

Students of Gilju Elementary School Receive New Shoes
On August 17, six hundred new shoes were provided to the students of Gilju elementary school in Gilju County, North Hamgyong Province. These fabric gym shoes were made from materials that were sent from South Korea last year. Although the shoes were not a free gift, it was a very precious present to the children who had worn out shoes.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees
If you need further information, please contact

Good Friends (Korea)
E-mail:intnetwork@jungto.org
Tel:82-2-587-8996 / Fax:82-2-587-8998

Good Friends USA (Washington, DC)
E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr
Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)
http://www.goodfriendsusa.blogspot.com/