North Korea Today No. 218

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No. 218 September 2008

Pyongsung City Starts a Large-Scale Patriotic Rice Donation Movement
Those Who Do Not Donate Patriotic Rice Are “Cold-hearted Egoists”
Patriotic Rice Donation Movement Spreads to All Areas in South Pyongan Province
Military Units in Daedong County Have Very Critical Food Shortage, Soldiers Are Chewing Cobs
Taechun County, Farmers Are Deeply Worried About Failed Corn Harvest
Many Corns Have Only Blighted Ears
Because of Wild Blueberries, One Month of the Last Summer Was Happy
[Opinion] Food Shortage in the Military and its Societal Implications

Pyongsung City Starts a Large-Scale Patriotic Rice Donation Movement
After reaching the decision to promote the patriotic rice donation movement, the Pyongsung City Party convened each district party with the leading secretary and People’s Assembly chairman attended in attendance, and discussed specifically how to support the movement. At the district party meeting they said, “If people eat 3 meals a day, we can tell them to eat only 2 meals and donate the food for one meal” and decided that the person in charge of each unit will carry a rice sack in person to collect the grain.

The motivation behind this patriotic rice donation movement is the determination of the party’s leading secretary, who attended the Central Party organizational meeting. The Pyongsung City Party’s leading secretary response to the report, “Soldiers barely eat 2 meals of corn porridge because there is not enough food in the military base. There are many weaklings (those who suffer from malnutrition) and even officers are not being fed properly.” He organized the patriotic rice donation movement as soon as he returned to Pyongsung. He first donated rice from his own house and made a plea to the residents of Pyongsung to join the patriotic rice donation movement. The Pyongsung City Party’s officials and the city People’s Assembly members also gave the highest priority to the patriotic rice donation movement and went around the city to encourage people to join the movement, saying, “Be conscientious and donate as much as you can.” Also, each village office, factory, public enterprise, school, hospital, and Democratic Women’s Union, are all focusing on the promotion of patriotic rice donation movement for 10 days. As the patriotic rice donation initiative has turned into a well-organized movement, the Central Party highly praised the Pyongsung City leading secretary as the “pioneer of the patriotic rice movement.”

Those Who Do Not Donate Patriotic Rice Are “Cold-hearted Egoists”
People in Pyongsung city who barely eat two meals a day are having trouble with the patriotic rice donation movement. Authorities ask “Just take one spoonful of rice from your meal.” However, that is too much of a burden for the people, who can barely eat corn porridge as a daily meal. The City Party’s initial plea for voluntary donation has become more oppressive as nobody showed signs of donating voluntarily. At every meeting, they call the names of those who did not donate patriotic rice and denounce them as “cold-hearted egoists.”

Patriotic Rice Donation Movement Spreads to All Areas in South Pyongan Province
While the patriotic rice donation movement is being actively organized the movement also started in the countryside near Pyongsung City. As the atmosphere of obligatory donation forms, farm members have reluctantly donated 1 kg of potatoes or green onions, or garlic, which they grow in small lots. Because the patriotic rice donation movement affects all of the population, including party-members, non-party members, workers, housewives, students, or farmers, the movement has spread from Pyongsung city to all areas of South Pyongan Province. The city of Pyongsung and the Central Party expect that Pyongsung City’s patriotic rice donation movement will soon spread throughout the nation. Nevertheless, the people suffer from it because the movement adds extra burdens while they already have difficulty feeding themselves. Hwang Ok-hee (age 38) complained by saying, “I wouldn’t feel too bad about donating patriotic rice or whatever if they allow us to do trading business. They don’t allow us to trading business; my husband is not getting any rations. There is no place we can get any grain. So, how can we donate anything more? Our life is hard enough with hunger and hardships. Why do they have to make us suffer like this?”

Military Units in Daedong County Have Very Critical Food Shortage, Soldiers Are Chewing Cobs
Military units based in Daedong County, South Pyongan Province, have a very critical food shortage. Last August 28, when an anti-aircraft battery regiment of 91 soldiers and squads under the 3rd Corps had nothing to eat, commanders visited the secretary in charge of the County Party and a chief of the People’s Assembly in person to request urgent food aid. Meanwhile, these military units have provided their soldiers with five potatoes for their three meals a day. These commanders asked, “If Daedong County has any reserved food for emergency, please help us.” At this request, the secretary in charge of Daedong County and a chief of the People’s Assembly were perplexed and answered, “So far, even residents of Daedong County have rarely received food distribution appropriately.” However, they gave soldiers barley seeds that are for next year’s farming because they cannot ignore the military’s request. But, compared to the number of soldiers, the amount of barley was so small that it was eaten in less than a week, even though soldiers tried to conserve as much as they could. In September, soldiers felt so hungry that they chewed corncobs for their sugars. As officers also felt extremely hungry, they let their subordinates steal and grill corn to eat. When the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces received a report about the critical situation, it ordered the emergency military supply department of Daedong County to release food that it had stockpiled for the wartime.

An officer said, “During even the March to Hardship, when people starved to death, we never ate the army provisions. Because this country does not have any reserved food or foreign countries do not give enough food aid, we are compelled to use temporarily the army provisions for wartime. Actually, this food could be the last supply. Unless we provided this emergency food this time, soldiers of my unit could not eat even a meal a day and would have passed out from hunger. When we consume all of this food, our next meal might be when people give us food for patriotic purposes. This is the real food situation of my unit.”

Taechun County, Farmers Are Deeply Worried About Failed Corn Harvest
Dukheung Farm, Taechun County, North Pyongan Province, failed to produce corn this year because they rarely spreaded fertilizer on the fields. When the corn seemed to ripen a little bit, farmers and residents stole them, leaving only blighted ears on the stalk. Jang Sam-guen (51) deplored, “We failed to have the corn harvest that we really counted on, so I have no idea how many rations we can receive in the fall.” Other farmers were also greatly worried about how they could survive.

Many Corns Have Only Blighted Ears
According to a report about the amount of the grain harvest that chief engineers of the National Provincial Farming Management Committee (전국도농촌경영위원회) expected this year, the locations with the greatest shortfall will be Gaesong and the whole area of Kangwon Province. Next to Gaesong and Kangwon, North and South Hwanghae provinces had the greatest failure in crop production. When it came to farming corn, we could see that there were many blighted ears on the stalks instead of grains. On the ordinary size of cornfields, each farm can have about 20-25 Jungbo (unit of land, 1 Jungbo is 2.45acres, and 3,000 Pyung) where corns have many blighted ears and the harvest failed. On the other hand, the harvest at Chungjin, Hoeryong, Onsung, and Saebyul of North Hamgyong Province, which lie next to the national border, seems to be better than other places.

Because of Wild Blueberries, One Month of the Last Summer Was Happy
Residents of Samjiyeon, Ryanggang Province, call the month from late July to late August “a golden period” because they can pick blueberries. During this season, everyone goes to the mountains to pick these fruits with their children. The berries can be traded at 1,100won per kg and many people come from Chungjin, North Hamgyong Province, to Samjiyeon to buy wild blueberries (들쭉). Wholesalers buy them in bulk and distribute them to the main markets of the country. Because people with skillful hands can usually pick more than 3 to 4 kg of blueberries a day, making money by picking seemed to be a good choice, especially in the current situation where earning money has become almost impossible. Hwang Eung-cheol (46), who lives in Samjiyeon, is happy and said, “Because we could pick blueberries this summer, we were relieved from the worries. Although we have only potatoes to eat, it is possible for us to survive for at least one month because we made some money this season. You can imagine how great and important securing food for a month is when we do not have any food to feed ourselves for a day.”

[Opinion] Food Shortage in the Military and its Societal Implications
The food shortage in the military throughout North Korea and subsequent unrest among North Korean soldiers appears to be serious. We have raised the issue of food shortage in the military several times since last spring. By now, this issue has become a priority at the meeting of the Central Party Organization Department. An official from Pyongsung suggested a voluntary ‘patriotic rice donation’ movement by the people, and the movement is reportedly spreading around South Pyongan Province with the encouragement from the Central Party. We worry that this government-led movement will go beyond voluntarism and take the form of mandatory contribution, putting extra burdens on civilians, who are already suffering from a food shortage.

As the food shortage has spread throughout the country, to all societal levels, the military has also started to face its worst food shortage since the Arduous March. Since January there have been soldiers deserting because of hunger and the military authorities issued orders requesting that the seeds in the farm during the spring season be made available for military food. Despite these actions, soldiers live on a few corns and potatoes a day and their empty stomachs are not being filled. Those soldiers who have to complete difficult training and who must work often face the same suffering as civilians. But it could be worse. The problem lies in the fact that the hungry soldiers are young males and are capable of exerting great physical force, making their desperation take on a totally different societal implication than that of children, Kkotjebis, and the elderly. In order to survive, the soldiers will sometimes use forces, weapons, collective power, and can resort to the authority of the People’s Army. On top of the food shortage problem, people have to deal with market intervention and various other inspections. The oppression of people by the soldiers could triple or quadruple the suffering of ordinary people. The conflict between the military and civilians will escalate and destabilize the public order, making ordinary people the biggest victim.

There has been a suspicion that the food aid from South Korea and the international community is being diverted to the military. The South Korean government could not ignore the hunger of the vulnerable classes of North Korea, but there is impossible in practice to insure that the food will reach those civilians who need it most. Meanwhile, sacrifice of the vulnerable class continues as a "war of all against all" intensifies inside North Korea. Nobody can say for sure if the biggest beneficiary of the food aid was the leadership of the North Korea, the military or ordinary people. However, the biggest victim when humanitarian aid ceases is never the leadership of North Korea or the military, but powerless ordinary people. Without clear understanding of this fact, the South Korean government’s position regarding North Korean humanitarian aid will be adrift with no principles or philosophy.

North Korea Today No. 217

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY

http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No. 217 September 2008

Yeonsah County: People Growing Angry Over Party Control of the Market
Onsung County: Market Regulation Stir up Residents
Three Month Labor Training Punishment to Corn Thieves in Kangsuh County
Six Month Laboring Training Punishment to a Corn Thief in Hoeryong City
Inspection for Lodging Facilities in North Hamgyong Province to Catch Runaway Soldiers
New Recruits Forced to Give Up Their New Uniforms for Worn Uniforms
People Charged with Crime for Watching a Film from South Korea
The Name of the Chairman 'Kim Jong-Il' Used for Non-Tax Contribution
A Lookout for Workers Picking Bean Pods

Yeonsah County: People Growing Angry Over Party Control of the Market
Yeonsah County, North Hamgyong Province, people are growing more angry over party control of the market. Food aid from the US has not been distributed to the factory workers and other households in this county. Most people barely keep their body and soul together by farming in small fields. The big problem is obtaining alternative food sources since small businesses are the only place to get food. However, there are many restrictions in order to open a small business. For example, the age limit forbids anyone over 40 from opening a small business. Trade must occur in assigned market areas. The market space does not provide enough room for all the people who want to do business. Even if they are willing to pay the market display fee of 500 NK won, there is still no enough room for everyone. Some business who sells medicinal items and local product can not make enough profit so some set up shop illegally outside of the assigned market area to avoid market display fee.

The market management office checks each businessperson's age and cracks down on people running their business outside of the assigned market area. The officials either fine them 500 NK won or get them to attend re-education course for an entire day. "If we use one day for re-education without making money, we end up with no food next day. It makes our situation worse." said Jung Myong-hee (43). She also added that anger amongst the small business operators has been increasing.

Onsung County: Market Regulation Stir up Residents
Onsung County, North Hamgyong Province, as market regulation has become stricter, complaints among the residents are rising. The residents and peasants who have trouble getting food sell domestic animals, eggs, medicinal herbs, and farm product from small farming fields. This is the only way they can buy other food. Every fair day, the market is packed with people from many places. The market management office cracks down on people who sell outside of the assigned market area and who do not follow the age limit regulations. The accused end up with fine NK 500 won. Otherwise they have to attend re-education class for a day until 5:00pm.

Some accused elderly beg, "I won't sell outside of the assigned market area. Please let me off the case." However, the enforcement officials do not let them go home until they pay the fine. Some of the accused get as mad and they curse and swear at the officials. "We are treated so badly, the officials won't get away with it." Some residents yell after they are discharged.

The accused, Jang Soo-young (41), was caught when she sold her fares on a small residential street. She said furiously, “It is hard to bear this situation. We have no other way to get food. If they are so hard on people, it could get everybody into big trouble."

Three Month Labor Training Punishment to Corn Thieves in Kangsuh County
On August 26, a three month labor training punishment was given to corn thieves in Kangsuh County in the Southern Pyongan Province. The five people, including a person who stole more than eight ears of corn, received the labor training punishment in a public trial. When September approached, many farmers barely manage to live off rice porridge, and some farmers have died from a lingering illness. Some people who suffered from malnutrition died without even a morsel of food.

Six Month Laboring Training Punishment to a Corn Thief in Hoeryong City
On September 5, a six month labor training punishment was given to a corn thief, Lee Suk-gyun in Hoeryong City of the North Hamgyong Province. An oxcart handler, Lee stole six ears of corn from the Second Ban corn field in Daeduk-ri and snuck them under his cow fodder while he was moving it out from the field. He was caught by a guard, who found all of his corn under the fodder. Lee was arrested on the spot as a corn thief. On September 5, he received a public trail in front of all of the residents of Nammoon-dong and got the six month labor training punishment.

Inspection for Lodging Facilities in North Hamgyong Province to Catch Runaway Soldiers
Of those who received the recruit training and placement of their military unit at the end of August, the number of deserted soldiers has increased due to the intense work and severe hunger. On top of individual desertion, which has already been a problem, the increasing number of group desertion has made the military authorities’ primary goal to catch these deserters. Hence, the police and the military authorities have combined to intensify the lodging facility inspection in each city and county of Northern Hamgyung Province.

New Recruits Forced to Give Up Their New Uniforms for Worn Uniforms
At a boot camp located at Chilbong-ri, Wonsan city, Kangwon Province, worn uniforms from discharged soldiers were supplied to new recruits, whereas the new uniforms were taken by the discharged soldiers. On July 22 of this year, new recruits enlisted for autumn registration had to dedicate all of their new uniforms, boots, helmets and underwear to senior soldiers. Because the senior soldiers who were going to be discharged didn’t have proper clothes, the director of uniform-supplies suggested a switch between the new recruits’ uniforms and the seniors’. Some of new recruits said, “We were very hungry. Moreover, they compelled us to switch our uniforms to theirs.” Further, this caused about 30 new recruits to desert their camps. From August 23-26, some new recruits ran away from camp so commissioned officers went to bus or train stations to look for deserters. Commanders like the Chief of Camp and the Major General strongly urged that commissioned officer look for and bring deserters back to the camp with silence. If new recruit’s deserter had been reported to seniors, commanders couldn’t have avoided strict liability.

People Charged with Crime for Watching a Film from South Korea
On August 16th, there was punishment rendered in regards to censorship over a banned film at Nampo City in South Pyongan. Some executives were fired and some were expelled from their town. Also some regular workers and other citizens were ordered to be expelled. Citizen arrested for watching films from South Korea were charged with “civilization”, which means that a serious crime charged to them. Those charged were Kim Jung-chul, Lee Moon-ho and so on, who belong to the 2nd factory under light industry at Nampo City.

The Name of the Chairman 'Kim Jong-Il' Used for Non-Tax Contribution
Yeonsah County in North Hamgyong Province has mobilized a workforce to expand as well as repair streets in expectation of a visit from the Chairman 'Kim, Jong-Il'. The residents complain that, “Whenever they need people to work for non-tax contribution and collect money from people, they always make excuses that it is for the visit of the Chairman. It looks like it is the same tactic they use everywhere, not just in Yeonsah County. Even if people in Yeonsah County make a donation of money and work hard for his visit, who knows where he decide to go?", people ridiculed at their policy.

Seo Sang-mok (39) said that "They always used the Chairman Kim Jong-Il to make people install pavement and to mobilize people. We are sick and tired of hearing 'the policy of the chairman'. Until when they utilize 'Chairman's policy' to make people bend over backwards. They should feel shameful for the shallow tactic they've used."

A Lookout for Workers Picking Bean Pods
In Dukchun City of the Southern Pyongan Province, while farmers search for rabbit grass or any various types of grasses in the mountains for their meals, they secretly steal corn or bean pods from area farms. Therefore, farms have begun to strengthen surveillance on corn or bean pods because people try to illegally to fill his/her bag or sack with corn or bean pods. Guards have been placed at the frequently traveled alleys and roadsides to search the bags of all the passers-by including the farmers who pick the grass.

North Korea Today No. 216

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY

http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No. 216 September 2008

In Dukchun City, a Child Who Ate a Peach Is In Critical Condition
The Homeless Boy (Kkotjebi) Who Stole Corn Was Shot
There Is No Punishment for the Guilty In Spite Of a Homeless Child’s Death
An Adult Homeless Stealing Corn, Died from the Beating He Received
Welfare Institution of Eunduk County Has Moved to a Bigger Place Due To the Increasing Number of Homeless
An Old Man Committed Suicide Because of the Death of His Grandchild

In Dukchun City, a Child Who Ate a Peach Is In Critical Condition
Since August 26th, casualties have been increasing because peaches from farms in Dukchun city, South Pyongan Province, are contaminated with DDT. Children who ate peaches while playing at the farm became ill with high fevers for no apparent reason. Some of them actually fainted and died. The fruit tree-collective farm of Dukchun city took preventive measures and used DDT to stop the dramatic increase of bugs on peach trees. DDT has been used in the past to kill insects on fruit. However, the usage of DDT was prevented because of its known damage to the human body. Nevertheless, the Fruit-Production administration still used DDT on peach trees. Children who suffer from hunger rush to eat the peaches without washing them and are suffering as a result. Children with weak immune systems get sick, causing death in 12 children. Even adults with get sick seriously if their immunities are not strong. Because of this, factories, companies and schools are preventing residents and children from approaching peach trees. On the other hand, the administration is looking for ways to protect the peach-farms from the enormous bug infestation.

The Homeless Boy (Kkotjebi) Who Stole Corn Was Shot
At midnight on August 14th, there was a gun shot at Fisheries Enterprise of Chungarm District, Chungjin city. There were many guards surrounding the factory because marine products such as dried seaweed and dried common squid are stored there. From August 14th to 16th there were even armed guards due to Independence Day on August 15th. Police officers who heard gunfire sounds at midnight found a homeless boy (Kkotjebi) who fell down on the street with a shot to his shoulder. The boy was holding a bag filled with ears of corn. The boy went into the factory to steal corn planted at the corner of Fisheries Enterprise. The boy was sent to the hospital immediately and is still fighting for his life.

There Is No Punishment for the Guilty In Spite Of a Homeless Child’s Death
Early last September, a resident found a dead homeless child at the back of an apartment building, the 12th unit of Sinheung-dong, Hyesan city, Ryanggang Province. According to his group of homeless (Kkotjebis), he went into a house to steal food two days ago. He was beaten to with a battledore. Afterwards, he became sick and died. While the lady of the house went out to pick up her husband after preparing breakfast, three homeless children went into the house and packed food into plastic bags. The housewife screamed with surprise and her husband went after them with a battledore. Two homeless ran away luckily but one boy fell down and his head was struck seriously. The boy suffered severe cuts but could not get any treatment; he died at the back of the apartment with no help or attention. Nobody reported the man who struck the boy and therefore his crime went unpunished. The fact that he killed a boy seemed to go completely unnoticed. This is because the homeless child has no name, family or home. In front of Hyesan station, there are many children with external wounds that are caused from beatings they receive while stealing food. Many of them have chapped hands or walk lame. Despite this, they do not receive any medical treatment, so their wounds become infected.

An Adult Homeless Stealing Corn, Died from the Beating He Received
On August 26th, in Hamheung city, South Hamgyoung Province, five cabins on a train carrying corn from the support bureau were getting ready to leave. However, 20 adult homeless noticed the trucks were filled with corn so went to steal them, and were caught by soldiers. They were beaten and one person died. The soldiers threw the body into a dumping ground off of Hamheung station and left in a hurry the next day, because they thought it would be harder to secure the corn if people found out that the cabins contained food. Young homeless lose their minds and become determined to steal corn. When the train left a 12 year old hung on the cabin in attempt to obtain a bag of corn, but his legs were caught between the train wheels. He was transported to the county-hospital and saved, but lost his legs and is suffering greatly from the pain.

Welfare Institution of Eunduk County Has Moved to a Bigger Place Due To the Increasing Number of Homeless
The number of homeless children is also increasing in Eunduk County, North Hamgyong Province. The rate from August is higher than last spring. In general, boys become homeless when they do not receive enough care from their fathers, after their mothers leave home. There are about 45 to 50 homeless children (Kkotjebis) in the county. The county party of Eunduk is planning to move its welfare institution to a bigger place and repair the current building. Thus, all the factories and enterprises in the county must be responsible for a portion of labor and materials.

An Old Man Committed Suicide Because of the Death of His Grandchild
As the season is changing, an increasing number of people are going to the mountains to pick pine nuts. An old man, Choi Young-ho, who lives in Gyowon-ri, Chungarm District in Chungjin city, North Hamgyong province, also went to the mountain on August 29 with his 14 year old, grand-son. The boy usually climbs very well and went up a tree to pick pine nuts, but accidentally fell down and died. Mr. Choi, who witnessed his grandson’s death, experienced emotional trauma due to a guilty conscience because he failed to stop his grandson’s death, so he committed suicide immediately by angling himself with the strap from his bag. According to the residents of that area, there are often fatal accidents when people pick pine nuts. Many go to the mountain at 4 am and come back around 9 or 10 pm in order to avoid being noticed by the forest enforcement officials. Pine nuts make people full thanks to the fat they possess. People say, “Korean white pine is better than the Party’s care,” with one accord. This is why people can’t stop going for pine nuts, even though it is dangerous.

North Korea Today No. 215

“I Wish I Could Have Some Rice Porridge Before I Die”
Rations of New-Crop Corn Noodles Given To Military Units Stationed in Kangwon Province on the Anniversary of Youth Day
Those Not Peddling Unable To Feed Themselves
Lee Hong-choon, deeply Involved In Manipulating Prices of Grain Nationally
Demand for Pork in City of Chungjin Far Exceeds Supply

“I Wish I Could Have Some Rice Porridge Before I Die”
Kim Myong-sik (63) of Chungnam-dong, Soonam District, City of Chungjin, North Hamgyong Province has been suffering for many years from abdominal pain. He has been selling pieces of furniture of any worth from his home in order to pay for medical treatment. This year he could not sustain himself physically by going out to borrow anything to eat. Pains in his stomach forced him to visit the hospital for some help. What he received was a diagnosis of a stomach ulcer requiring surgery. He could not afford to pay for any medication for a long time. His stomach is not capable of digesting even a small amount of grass porridge and a piece of potato. He finally concluded that he could not survive long and had such a strong craving for rice porridge that he paid a visit to the District Party headquarters. He said “I wish I could have a spoonful of rice porridge before I die” and asked them for a small amount of rice.

Despite this man’s entreatment, the party leaders coldly turned him down, saying “You are not the only one in such a dire situation. We cannot help you.” So disappointed, Mr. Kim shouted, “What is the Party for if it does not care about the starving people? I will go to Pyongyang and ask Dear Leader for some rice.” He was arrested for this incident and he had to ask for forgiveness from the security agents for his “nonsensical utterings.”

Rations of New-Crop Corn Noodles Given To Military Units Stationed in Kangwon Province on the Anniversary of Youth Day
Soldiers of the units stationed in Kangwon Province were fed with noodles made of new-crop corn on the anniversary of Youth Day. There were no special events planned for the occasion and soldiers took the day off. Soldiers of the 46th and 47th Divisions of the First Corps stationed in Gimhwa County of Kangwon Province are fed twice a day. Because they recently ran out of food, the officers’ families stopped receiving rations. Groups of starving soldiers go to the farms and private plots of land to steal corn. Some units stationed at the top of the mountain in Yeechun County of Kangwon Province had to travel 50 Li[1]) to haul water because the wells dried up during hot summer days. Lack of water forced the soldiers to use wet towels to clean their faces and many soldiers could not even do that for ten days or more. The Fifth Corps supplied whole corn, which the kitchen personnel had to grind before cooking it. It is hard to describe the sufferings of the soldiers.

Those Not Peddling Unable To Feed Themselves
The hardest hit areas by the current food crisis are Kangwon and South Hwanghae Provinces. Residents of these areas are either starving or only able to eat two meals of porridge a day. People are wondering how long even those fortunate enough to have porridge can last. Because of more intense control over commercial activities, those who cannot peddle have a hard time affording even meals of porridge.

Lee Hong-choon, deeply Involved In Manipulating Prices of Grain Nationally
Lee Hong-choon[2]), president of Namgang Company, North Hamgyong Province, was executed on July 15, a month later, all of his associates in crime were arrested. It has come to light that Lee Hong-choon has been in close contact with branch trading company presidents and a head of base, such as those in South Hamgyong Province, North Hwanghae Province and the City of Pyongsung. He coordinated efforts in manipulating prices of grain nationally across the country and became deeply involved. Accordingly, all of his associates in crime were executed behind closed doors and the government confiscated all of the grain in their possession. The confiscated grain was distributed to workers in education and medicine. In the case of the City of Chungjin during August, 5 MT of grain was sent to nursing homes and a Kkotjebi Center. The city and county construction shock troop brigade received the majority of the confiscated grain and the rest was sent to educators and medical workers.

Demand for Pork in City of Chungjin Far Exceeds Supply
Pork prices in the major markets of North Hamgyong Province have been rising. During May, the price of pork ranged from 3,500 to 4,000 NK won [3] ) per kg and started rising in June. During July, the price went up to 5,500 NK won and even 6,000 to 7,000 NK won in some areas. The reason behind the rise in price is the sharp increase in the demand for pork in the City of Chungjin. Annually, the demand for pork is high during the period between July and September and this year is no exception. Especially this year, it is rumored that it is impossible to find pigs in the City of Chungjin. It was hard to find any pork and therefore the price of pork brought from other cities and counties in North Hamgyong Province such as Onsung, Yeonsah and Hoeryong has also been rising.

[1]) Li리 is a distance unit in Korea and 1 Li리 is around 393 m, 25 Li리 is approximately 10 km
[2]) North Korea Today No. 198, August 2008 introduced Lee Hong-choon as the chief of the Namgang sales office in Chungjin, North Hamgyong Province. Lee Hong-choon is actually the president of the Namgang Company.

[3] ) US $1.00 is approximately 3,300 NK won.

North Korea Today No. 214

Two Inmates Escape from Younggwang County Re-education Centre
Successive Robberies of Stores in Hoeryong
Gasoline Tanker blows Up in Pyongyang’s Seungho District
Cargo Truck Accident in Jungpyong
Mt. Myohyang Tour Bus Rolls off the Cliff
Provincial History of Revolution Museum in Sinuiju to Be Renovated
Employee of the court dismissed after receiving 500,000 won to allow a couple to divorce
Not Everyone Can Divorce

Two Inmates Escape from Younggwang County Re-education Center
On September 2nd, there was a prison break involving 10 inmates from Younggwang County Re-education Center in South Hamgyong Province. Among them, three were shot and killed and five apprehended by authorities, while two are still at large. Earlier that day, three prison guards transported the ten to the Gohwon train station to stake bags of cement. Waiting for the right moment, around 6PM, the inmates finally ran away eluding the prison guards’ effort to capture them. However, three of them were quickly shot, and died on the spot. In an effort to arrest the fugitives, the Gohwon County police have set up checkpoints on the roads and tracks going toward the Chinese boarder up north.

Successive Robberies of Stores in Hoeryong
During the later part of August, there were successive robberies targeting large stores in the city of Hoeryong in North Hamgyong Province. On August 27, Ohsanduk Store and Moranjiguk Store were robbed of 1.8 million NK won (approximately US $545) and 7 million NK won (approximately US $2,121) respectively. Additionally, on the 30th, Social Emergency Storage – Day Care Items Distribution Store was hit loosing 2.5 million NK won (US $757) worth of merchandise. In a response to these robberies, on September 2, Hoeryong held an emergency City Party meeting. The Secretary of the City Party criticized the head of the police station, the captain of the security officers, and all the other related personnel, “What kind of poor job are you doing, that there are all these repeated robberies and you can’t even catch the criminals?” To put a stop to the spree of robberies, police officers are staking out during the night and interviewing the residents during the day.

Gasoline Tanker blows Up in Pyongyang’s Seungho District
A gasoline tanker exploded on its way into a fuel storage owned by the Support Bureau. This accident claimed the lives of the driver and a worker in charge at the fuel storage, and burned 10 ton of gasoline. It also caused a fire in the nearby cornfield and other fields inflicting a considerable amount of damage triggering worries over its negative impact on the harvest this fall.

Cargo Truck Accident in Jungpyong
In Jungpyong, South Hamgyung Province, a cargo truck belonging to transportation department of Grain Policy Division(양정사업소) got into an accident while transporting factory workers from Gohwon County. Four factory workers died and five were seriously injured. Catching the ride in the truck were four signalmen from the Air Force headquarters based in Jungpyong County; they also died in the accident.

Mt. Myohyang Tour Bus Rolls off the Cliff
Last August 16, volunteers from a company in Wonsan City, Kangwon Province, were involved in a traffic accident on their way to tour Mt. Myohyang. The tour bus was about to enter Goojang County near Deungduk when a truck that belongs to the training camp 91’s artillery unit collided with the bus due to a malfunctioning transmission, making the bus roll off a cliff. As result of the accident, seven passengers died and 12 were injured. People who needed emergency medical care were transferred to the Red Cross hospital in Pyongyang. Nobody in the truck that caused the accident was seriously injured.

Provincial History of Revolution Museum in Sinuiju to Be Renovated
City of Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province has decided to renovate the Provincial History of Revolution Museum (도혁명사적관) in Sinuiju to a “modern style.” Public lectures emphasized the need “for everyone to cooperate.” Since September, people started organizing to raise money. In University of Sinuiju, employees have decided to collect 10,000 NK won (US $3) from each member. University of Sinuiju has taken part in replacing the floor of the museum to granite, which will cost a lot of money. The factories and companies have been discussing how to raise money as well.

Employee of the court dismissed after receiving 500,000 won to allow a couple to divorce
In Sapo region which is located in Hamheung City, Southern Hamgyong Province, an employee of People’s Court was dismissed after accepting 500,000 NK won (US $150) to allow a couple to divorce. Since it is extremely difficult to be approved for divorce, many couples who want to divorce spend between 400,000 and 500,000 NK won to lobby the employees. As the number of such cases increased, the Central Court sent out an order to investigate every county and city. Kwon Soon-duk (45) from Hamheung City says, “People with money can divorce any time they want, but for those who don’t have money, divorce is not an option.”

Not Everyone Can Divorce
Amid the ongoing food crisis and break up of the families by divorces, a newly married couple divorced recently, raising a concern. Last August 5, the Central Court explicitly gave out the cases where people can file for divorce and made sure these are the only cases that can pass through. These cases are limited to serious beatings from the husband on the wife, partner’s addiction to illegal drugs, and just a few more. When a person files for divorce with the cases that do not belong in the list, that person will be placed in the rehabilitation programs for up to 2 years, where women will be sent to the farmlands and men to the mines.

North Korea Today No. 213

Wheat provided by U.S.A. to the Northern Coal Mine Enterprise
Jagang Province Distribute Food Aid from the U.S.A. to Workers in Munitions Factory
In Nampo City, a Farm's Decision for Corn Distribution Causes a Controversy
Controversy Surround the Shooting Death of a Soldier Stealing Corn in Suhheung County Farm, North Hwanghae Province
The Number of Goat Drastically Reduced, Kanggye City
[Opinion] Time to Prepare for Humanitarian Crisis in North Korea

Wheat provided by U.S.A. to the Northern Coal Mine Enterprise
The Coal Mine United Enterprise, in Saebyul County North Hamgyong Province, has not supplied food rationing for workers of city and county coal mines since last August. For example, The Ohbong Coal Mine was able to distribute whole corn in July, but since then, they could not provide any food to their workers because they did not receive any the Northern Coal Mine United Enterprise. The officials in the city and county's coal mine tried to persuade workers to continue working by promising that it will sell coal and provide them with food in September. Despite its effort, the workers cried, "They are just saying that! The situation is not going to change". In some of the coal mines, only the lowest officials showed up at work. It is hard for the officials to force workers to do their job, when they are suffering from hunger. Coal Mine Industry Department was alerted of the situation and decided that they should keep the coal mines running. As such, they've decided to distribute 200 tons of wheat from U.S.A. to the Northern Coal Mine Enterprise before September 7.

Jagang Province Distribute Food Aid from the U.S.A. to Workers in Munitions Factory
Jagang Province supplied workers in munitions factory with enough food for 10 days worth of meals. Half the food aid was in unglutinous rice, the rest of them were wheat from the U.S.A. Since August, non-absentee rate has decreased because of the lack of food. Economic Commission II provided the workers with the food aid from the U.S.A. Since the head of household is not able to bring home food, the housewives are trying to get some food from family or relatives. However the application for travel certificates is often denied. Therefore, it is not easy to visit families who live in other areas because for security reasons, many people are not allowed to outside of their cities.

Some workers are forced to work without food rationing. Kim Hyung-oh (43) said, "Most of our people have been surviving with only porridge since April, when the food distribution stopped. Even I have no energy to continue to work all day. I often just lie down due to hunger at work and wait for the closing hour. When lying down, we are occasionally beaten with a stick by the officials. The officials blame us for reduced productivity.

In Nampo City, a Farm's Decision for Corn Distribution Causes a Controversy
A farm in Shinryong-ri, Nampo City, South Pyongan Province, distributed 35kg of corn to its farmers. Since the farmers did not have much to eat this September, many of them have eaten only one meal per day. The secretary and the farm managers thought that there would be almost no food for the farmers after they send corn as military provisions. Therefore, they harvested corn from around 1,500 pyung (평) of not-so-good corn fields earlier than usual so that they could distribute the 35 kg of corn to each farmer. However, someone reported, "Farm management workers harvested corn earlier on their own without any permission and distributed to the farmers," to the Province Farm Management Committee. The Committee notified the military authority of the incident, which allowed it to investigate the secretary and the supervisor of the Shinryung-ri farm management. The military authority asked the secretary, "You know that you were making a serious mistake when you harvested corn earlier than usual without permission from the government, didn't you!" The secretary replied, "I have tried to get some food for the farmers. How could I let more farmers die? Shouldn't I try more to keep them alive at any rate?" There is a great diversity of opinion on how to handle this case.

Controversy Surround the Shooting Death of a Soldier Stealing Corn in Suhheung County Farm, North Hwanghae Province
Thanks to help from the military police, the Suhheung Collective Farm in Suhheung town, Suhheung County, North Hwanghae Province gave two rifles to each work unit due to the recurring and unsolved problems of corn theft. On August 26, two 4.25 Engineering Training Battalion soldiers, who tried to steal corn, were shot by the armed farm guards. One of the fleeing soldiers was shot on the thigh and his leg was amputated. Then, the officers and soldiers from the Battalion made a strong protest against the supervisor and the workers, almost bullying "Compensate for the damages right away. If not, connect the amputated leg to the body." After having an emergent meeting, the farm secretary and the management workers apologized to the military officers saying, "We provide everything including food and medicine for the soldier whose leg was amputated due to our shooting until he fully recovers."

After the officers and soldiers returned, the work unit reported the details on the incident to the secretary of the Kun. The Kun Committee was held among the officials and the Committee sent the detailed report on the incident and a letter of complaint to the Ministry of People's Armed Forces. The officials from the Ministry of People's Armed Forces investigated the incident by meeting all the farmers and concluded, "The shooting was occurred by the soldier's theft of corn. Therefore, the farm should not be held responsible for the incident." They also criticized the officers from the battalion who claimed damage compensation. The company commander in the battalion received a 6 month of party punishment (당책벌) and the squad commander, who allowed the soldiers the stealing, was demoted to the solider (the lowest rank).

The Number of Goat Drastically Reduced, Kanggye City
The number of goat in Youth Goat Ranch, Kanggye City, Jagang Province, has been greatly reduced. It had approximately 6,000 sheep a few years ago but now only 1,300 are left this year. This ranch has been very famous for its goat farming and many ranches across the country have tried to emulate it after it began to raise goats for the first time in the country in 2002. However, due to the lack of fodder and decreasing grazing land, the number of goats has been significantly reduced. In order to take good care of goats, grazing land should be continuously created but there is almost no grass to feed the goats. Moreover, farm workers have barely managed to live by selling goat milk due to the severe food shortage. Therefore, the ranch was not able to create grazing land but to concentrate on selling goat milk. Every farmer is supposed to sell 50 liters of goat milk and then the ranch collects the profits. Since everyone has been engaged in selling goat milk, there is not enough number of people who make fodder for goats. This is why the number of goats has been reduced and, now, only 1,300 goats are left.

[Opinion] Time to Prepare for Humanitarian Crisis in North Korea
We keep getting reports that Kim Jong-Il, North Korea's leader, is seriously ill. Any changes to the leadership of North Korea will almost certainly lead to some degree of instability. The press has released a lot of speculative news articles that sudden big changes in North Korea could be coming soon.

According to WFP (United Nations World Food Programme) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) reports released in June, the seriousness of the food situation in North Korea has been made clearer.

It is said that more than 50% of households live with only two meals of porridge per day.
The report supported our newsletter in 'North Korea Times' that North Koreans have been suffering from famine. The WFP report, as well as Good Friends, pointed that flood damage, the reduction of aid from other countries, and China's restrictions for the export of food has worsened the shortage of food crisis

To make matters worse, the shortage of food led to an increase of grain price and a decrease of purchasing power. It seems that people try to help themselves by farming in a small piece of field and collecting wild plants, which they can eat.

As We (Good Friends) have looked into diverse aspects of the North Korea situation, we think that the food situation is well reflected in the report. Our trials to get the North Korea news out worldwide have raised many objections.

The opposition insisted that some private organizations exaggerate the food situation, that the increase of grain price originates from North Korea's market control policy and it would be temporary issue, and that the food shortage is not that bad because a food famine is one of the strategies for North Korea government to manipulate people. However, now we have objective and comprehensive information on food situation in North Korea.

We should stop this exhausting dispute and come up with the new ideas on how to rescue North Korea from the humanitarian crisis that it now faces. We should not be preoccupied with just the news that Kim Jong-Il is seriously ill and that North Korea faces big and sudden changes in politics. Under the circumstances, the South Korea government must be hold firm in its position so that we can effectively deal with important issues such as the continuation of South and North Koreas' talks, humanitarian aid, non-governmental exchange between South and North Korea, and Inter-Korean economic business.

The easiest way to get through this difficult period is by providing food aid so that we can gain North Koreans' popularity. Humanitarian aid such as food aid would be the easiest and most justifiable measure to lead S. and N. Korea to become reunified one Korea. The South Korea government should continue to provide unconditional food aid to help the North Koreas people and resume talks with the North Korea government. By doing so, we should be able to intervene in its issues and lead it to solve the problems that it would face in near future.

We must keep in mind that the most important and biggest matter in North Korea is the food crisis that is causing many people to suffer from preventable hunger.

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.