North Korea Today No. 225

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No.225 October 2008

In Kangwon Province, Fortunate Are Those Who Can Afford to Eat Potatoes
At Universities in South Hamgyong Province, Students Are Rationed With 15 Potatoes A Day
Those that Sacrifice to Donate Rice
Two Corns-on-the-Cobs for a Road Construction Worker for Lunch
Party Secretaries of Cities and Counties Responsible For Apportionment in Military Provisions

In Kangwon Province, Fortunate Are Those Who Can Afford to Eat Potatoes
In counties of Bubdong, Gosan, Tongchun and Sepo, food crisis is very severe. September is the toughest month before the fall harvest. There is no external food aid whatsoever. It is difficult to say which county is the worst because most of the residents can afford barely a meal a day. Even in the City of Wonsan, the largest city in Kangwon Province, most of the residents suffer from the food shortage. Kim Hyung-jin (35) at Galma-dong says it has been a long time since he last saw a grain of rice and his family of five barely survives on 4 kg of potato a day. He, with a swollen face, said, “It was really hard for the first ten days. But we are used to it now. Fortunate are those who can afford potatoes. Those poorer residents eat grass porridge mixed with powdered corn. They even pull out and eat cabbages and dried greens from the field to suppress hunger.”

At Universities in South Hamgyong Province, Students Are Rationed With 15 Potatoes A Day
Major universities of South Hamgyong Province provide each student at the dormitories with five potatoes a meal, a total of 15 potatoes a day. Occasional rotten potatoes cause diarrhea to many students. Students themselves prepare porridge of potato in their rooms. Hunger causes some students to complain about dizziness and some students cannot even get up from their seats at the end of the class. Students complain that because of hunger no matter what they do all they think about is food.

Those that Sacrifice to Donate Rice
People’s Army political lecture series list people who donate rice to army in the middle of this severe food crisis. An elderly man, saying that the young soldiers are like his grandsons and should not go hungry, paid a visit to a neighboring army unit to donate 1.5 kg of soybean. A daughter-in-law in a family donated 15 kg of corn on the cob and her mother-in-law donated again 15 kg of corn on the cob, which was all that the family owned. Some soldiers seem to be moved by these episodes. However, the majority of the soldiers seem to believe they are all downright lies,

Two Corns-on-the-Cobs for a Road Construction Worker for Lunch
Hwang Hak-soo (57), a factory manager at City of Dukchun, South Pyongan Province, was able to visit with his son, a worker of the 8th Bureau (Bureau of Road Construction), on the way home from a business trip to Pyongyang. Hwang Jin-man (24), his son, was in the middle of unloading a truck in pajamas. They could have a talk only during lunch hour. His son’s lunch was just two corns-on-the-cobs. It broke his heart. Afterwards, he went into a mountain area where there was no one in sight and cried long and hard. Mr. Hwang realized the first time how miserable the workers lives were. He was shocked. Upon arriving home, he sent 50,000 NK won to his son immediately and decided that he would send about 200,000 NK won (approx. US $60) to his son every month.

Party Secretaries of Cities and Counties Responsible For Apportionment in Military Provisions
Party secretaries of cities and counties should be ready to be relieved of their position and fired if they fail to meet the required apportionment in military provisions. Consequently, every party secretary of city and county takes all measures to prevent any amount of food to leave their jurisdictions. These measures caused the rice dealers to carry more than 10 Kg of rice on them during night. A central party official commented, “The food situation with the military is so severe that all the possible measures will be taken to meet the required apportionment in military provisions. It will be very tough for the rice dealers, but no party secretary would have any other options but to follow instructions from above. Who would let any amount of food leave the city in daylight if you are about to lose your head?” He predicted that it would be difficult for rice to move outside the city or county for any foreseeable time.

North Korea Today No. 224

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No.224 October 2008

“Is a vehicle more precious than a person?”
“They ask us to protect our country, but we would rather live in China”
"Proper Conduct at the City Water Center"
For Complimenting South Korean Sports, a Chinese-Korean Man Suffers a Bitter Experience
At the Hamheung Textile Factory, Extreme Measures to Collect Cotton for Military Blankets

“Is a vehicle more precious than a person?”
On August 3, a merchant vehicle on its way to Rajin from the Gimchaek Iron Mill in Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province, rolled off a cliff at Juhseulryong Hill (저슬령고개). The first place the manager ran to after hearing about the accident was to the cliff itself. The workers were not too happy about such reaction from their manager. “Is a vehicle more precious than a person? It is morally right to visit the hospital first to check on the condition of the driver,” said Hwang Kyu-hyuk. The vehicle involved in the accident was one of the few imported vehicles used in the state-owned enterprise.

One staff member offered a counter argument saying, “Even I would have checked on the condition of vehicle first. If we do not act promptly, people would just take all the parts off the vehicle and there will be nothing left. If the vehicle is not completely destroyed, a manager’s responsibility is to save whatever he can. Someone at least in the manager position has to appear at the scene if we want to bring back the vehicle. Since the patient should already be receiving medical care in the hospital, iron mill staff members can go wherever they believe they are needed.”

“They ask us to protect our country, but we would rather live in China”
In Hamheung City, South Hamgyong Province, the number of people complaining about their living conditions is increasing. “Every political speech seems to claim that it is us who have to protect our own country. However, we do not have a passion to fulfill that goal nor do we feel any need to do so. In the past, it was hard to think about crossing the border simply because it was too far away and leaving family behind was a difficult choice. However, conditions have gotten to the point where we want to risk everything to cross the border,” complained the residents. The number of people complaining has definitely increased, but only a few people actually try. The reason is that nowadays it has become nearly impossible to cross the river without a bribe. The money required for bribing is too expensive for people who barely survive on one meal of porridge each day. It costs about 2,000 Yuan (Chinese currency) to cross the river for a round-trip to China. This amount exceeds 3,000 Yuan for those who only want one-way trip. Although people dream of crossing the river because of there terrible living conditions, it is only those who are relatively rich that can actually cross the river. This is representative of the present situation in North Korea.

"Proper Conduct at the City Water Center"
In North Pyongan Province, Sinuiju region, there was a public lecture to promote proper, orderly conduct at the drinking station in the city. There have been complaints about certain groups of people who are wasting water by taking it directly from the main water pipe and the lecture suggests that this act should be prohibited. Many apartments share a main water pipe, but certain groups of people are directly connecting that pipe to their homes, which results in a selfish, rapid use of the water which is to be shared by many. On the other hand, these citizens are complaining that it is wrong to tell them to stop using water from the main pipe without taking steps to fix the lack of abundant tap water. "I hope that the officials will pay more attention to the water supply scarcity," said 38-year-old Shim Kyung-cheol.

For Complimenting South Korean Sports, a Chinese-Korean Man Suffers a Bitter Experience
A Chinese-Korean man (50 years old) from Hunchun city in China got into trouble after speaking out while visiting his relatives who reside at Onsung town in Onsung County in North Hamgyong Province. After kindly offering his cigarettes to villagers who were leaving a trade market, he had a chat with them about the Beijing Olympic Games. He said to them “South Korea advanced into the ranks of the ten most powerful sports nations. Moreover, in exporting South Korea ranks twelfth among the major world exporters, a rich country seems to get the lead in sports as well.” However, someone reported his words to the market security office and its officers investigated him. Even after the man clarified the purpose of his visit, the security officer investigated his identity and questioned the purpose of his visit, suspicious that he might have come to make propaganda for South Korea. They interrogated him about what he had talked about near the market. He did not understand what was going on around him, simply saying “I swear what I have told them just before is all true.”

Once he answered, they said, “You are strange. Pull everything out of your pockets! ” and then they inspected the contents of his pockets. They found a phone number written on a piece of paper, the officers questioned him about whose phone number it was. The Chinese-Korean man explained that the number belonged to a friend’s relative, who he had offered to contact on his friend’s behalf. However, the officers continued their interrogation, “Don’t lie! Is he South Korean or a North Korean defector? They might send you here with a suspicious mission. You seem to look with favor on South Korea. You are not like a normal visitor.”

Now the man grasped the seriousness of the situation he faced. He gave Chinese currency 3000 Yuan and two cartons of cigarettes to the officers while apologizing for his slip of the tongue due to his unfamiliarity with North Korean law. Then the officers softened up a bit, saying “We will confiscate this money because its purpose is suspicious. It shouldn’t happen again, so go back to your country tomorrow with no delay.” He was indignant about the unexpected loss of money caused by his simple words. Villagers who had watched the incident develop comforted him, saying “It is lucky you did not make things worse.”

At the Hamheung Textile Factory, Extreme Measures to Collect Cotton for Military Blankets
The wool textile factory in Hamheung city of South Hamgyong Province is a national enterprise providing military supplies with two industries. The factory is mainly aimed at manufacturing military blankets for the People’s Defense Ministry (인민무력부). But after suffering from a shortage of raw materials, workers have been forced to use only worn-out cotton (파솜). To accomplish the task, factory managers organize female workers into a unit of 50 or 80 and send them out to each village in order to gather used cotton inside of villagers’ bedding or from other sources. The units of female workers buy the cotton, paying 50 cents per kg. The factory has around 5,000 workers, of which 3,500 female workers go out of the village to another city or district to obtain cotton. Most of the women are impoverished.

North Korea Today No. 223

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No.223 October 2008

“I can only come up with courage to buy corn noodle after long deliberation.”
A Ban on Food Stalls in Markets to Prevent Food Waste
People’s Defense Ministry, “Secure Procurement of Rice for the Military from Farms
Because of Weak Soldiers, Limit Hard Physical Training
A Measure, “Provide Bean-curd Refuse During This Year’s Winter Drill”
[Opinion] Listen to the People When They Say, “Let us open our own business”



“I can only come up with courage to buy corn noodle after long deliberation.”
Nowadays, the best selling grain in the market throughout the country is corn. Rice is so hard to find people can barely buy a handful on holidays or for family birthdays. Even the well-to-do households buy corn as the main staple rather than rice. Other households can afford corn only when they have good earnings from time to time. As people eat corn as the main staple in their diets the most popular food among people has become corn noodle. Jo Myong-hyun (age 29) who lives in Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province says, “Once in a while I buy corn noodle, but I make the decision after thinking about it for more than half the day.” It is not easy for him to buy the food as much as he desires because he cannot afford it. A bowl of corn noodle costs only about 1,500 won. But many still cannot afford to buy it other than on special occasions. Most of the farmers and people with low income are instead eating grass porridge with a few grains of corn in it. Ms. Jang In-soon (age 43) who sells corn noodle in the market says,” Because corn noodle is easily digested, most people do not find it filling even after consuming 2 to 3 bowls. Many people feel unsatisfied after finishing one bowl even though it was a big decision after a long deliberation. It is very difficult to buy corn noodle unless it is a very special occasion because of the destitute situation.”

A Ban on Food Stalls in Markets to Prevent Food Waste
On September 13, the Central Party issued a statement that stated, “We must completely remove traditions, such as big feasts, marriages, and other family ceremonies, that do not comply with our rules in order to prevent food waste.” As a result, major cities across the country have taken an action to ban food stalls in markets as of September 20.

The main dishes that ordinary people usually purchase at food stalls are tofu rice, noodles, and bread. The prices are as follows: 200 won for a package of tofu rice, 1,300 won for 1 kg of dark wheat bread, 1,300-1,500 won for a bowl of corn noodle soup. People who are better off, on the other hand, buy rice cakes and sundae (a Korean food similar to sausage) and these foods respectively cost 2,300 and 2,600 won per kg, quite expensive for the average person.

Responses of residents to this new ban on food stalls in markets, however, are rather indifferent, and they said, “Foods like rice cake and sundae are only affordable by high-ranking officials and rich people.” People do not seem to be much affected by the ban, as they could not afford dishes at food stands in markets anyway. On the contrary, street vendors who sell foods sigh with frustration at losing their means of living.

People’s Defense Ministry, “Secure Procurement of Rice for the Military from Farms
While the deteriorating food situation of the military becomes worse, People’s Defense Ministry (인민무력부) is facing difficulties in procuring rice for the military. Following last year’s low harvest, forecasts that this year’s crop will not reach the projected amount are continuously reported; and these disappointing reports make it even harder for the military to obtain food. In particular, the low harvest in border areas like Hwanghae province directly affects the food situation in the military.

Meanwhile, authorities of People’s Defense Ministry at a meeting with rearguard officers stressed, “When receiving grains from farms, secure the whole quantity and do not even miss a single grain. There should not be any illegal tricks to seize it for a personal purpose involved in the delivery process.” In addition, “Even if there is a farm that refuses or is unable to provide the rice, you must extract the assigned amount of rice from all farms with no exception. If we fail to obtain the required amount of the rice this year, the number of feeble people in the military will increase, which will ultimately weaken our military power. We cannot even observe military rules under the current situation. Therefore, rearguard officers should put all the efforts in alleviating the food situation. Also, do your best in procuring subsidiary foods, including radishes and cabbages” military authorities repeatedly mentioned.

Because of Weak Soldiers, Limit Hard Physical Training
Infantry squads of 91 Military Training Camp based in Taesung-ri, Kangsuh County, South Pyongan Province, decided to decrease the intensity of the winter intensified drill that will begin from December 1 of this year due to malnourished soldiers. Although this military unit has provided soldiers with wheat for three meals a day, the amount of them was less than 300g. Because the meals do not include any side dishes and their amount cannot satisfy even children’s hunger, the increase in the number of malnourished soldiers is natural. A certain company of this camp has as many as 70 malnourished soldiers out of 100. Thus, they will be discharging soldiers who are suffering from critical malnutrition and cannot continue their duties, by the end of October. Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces ordered the unit to discharge the soldiers in secret in order not to spread any rumors.

On the other hand, when a staff of the military unit stated that there was a lecture for commanders of battalions of Pyongyang and 91 Military Training Camp and commanders of Support bureau last September 14, he also said, “As the food shortage has worsened, soldiers are getting weak. Although I want to put my men to work, I cannot do so because they are so weak. It is unlikely that anyone will be able to participate in and endure a winter intensified drill that will begin from December 1.” According to his statement, they decided to avoid any hard drills as much as they could and to practice basic tactics during this winter-intensified drill.

A Measure, “Provide Bean-curd Refuse During This Year’s Winter Drill”
During the winter military drill that will begin on December 1 of this year, the military has decided to provide soldiers with bean curd refuse for meals. On the designated days, each unit must give soldiers beans that they have conserved after harvesting and threshing for making tofu. However, some military units in Pyongyang have already consumed the reserved beans obtained from their extra farming because of the food shortage. For example, one unit boiled all their beans and even the pods together for the soldiers’ meals, so they do not have any beans in reserves. Because they ordered each platoon to prepare the beans as soon as they could, some officers are worried that they will have to resort to stealing beans from random farms to restore their reserves.

[Opinion] Listen to the People When They Say, “Let us open our own business”
Recently, many residents of North Hamgyung Province are filing petitions at the superior office for business licenses for the market. There are several reasonable causes for people filing for these petitions.

First, it demonstrates that the government is unable to resolve the food, clothing, and shelter crisis for its people. Second, those who are good at business can take care of food, clothing, and shelter issues themselves and therefore should be allowed to. Thirdly, making a day-to-day life has become more difficult because of the government restrictions on business. This trend also illustrates that people perceive the government policies to be exacerbating the food shortage situation rather than improving it. Fourthly, people who have lost the means for making livelihood any other way end up committing crimes just to survival, causing social unrest and the worsening of societal order.

The North Korean government probably has its reasons for, so severely, restricting who can set up businesses in the market. There is already a widening gap between the haves and have-nots, which goes against the societal ideology of equality among people. There is also a problem with some of the financiers raising food prices in order to make more profit in their sales. It could also be a great waste of labor power if no restrictions are applied in a country where all of the laborers and labor power rely on the market to make daily income. Rampant proliferation of drugs, foreign media, dollar black-market, flocking of the homeless (Kkotjebis), and low quality food and medicine all pose serious social problems as well. It is understood that the restrictions on the market is to preserve the order of the society and control illegal activities.

Nevertheless, despite these problems the North Korean government should not ignore the demands of the people any more. Doing business is the only means of making a living for those with no rations. Therefore, under the current conditions it is impossible to place restrictions on trading at the market. A series of policies such as prohibiting rice sales and banning food business can only bring about resistance from people. It may even be a barrier for preserving social order by creating new social conflict, which is exemplified in the increase in the types of crimes committed for survival not only threatening the foundation of community, but also lowering the quality of life in the society.

No matter how good the intention of a policy is, they should be implemented to protect the people’s right to make a living. The petitions people file are righteous demands. Therefore, it is better to accept them rather than restricting them with various reasons. People’s right to make a living is the top priority the government should guarantee as its obligation. We hope that they will listen to the people’s cry saying, “Give us rations, or let us do business so that we can make our own living.” We hope that the North Korean government will do the best it can to find a way to guarantee people’s livelihoods in this difficult situation where not enough ration can be provided.

North Korea Today No. 222

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No. 222 October 2008

Crop Thieves Were Sent to the Farm Where They Stole Crops
An Exile List Came Out in Sinuiju
Special Control over Food Transports in Large Cities
Parents at Youngwoong Middle School complain because of non-tax contribution
Military Academy Discharges Tuberculosis Patients

Crop Thieves Were Sent to the Farm Where They Stole Crops
On September 15, a public trial was held for the crop thieves in Sariwon City in the North Hwanghae Province. Five people, who were caught stealing the crops, were all sentenced to work as laborers at the farm.

An Exile List Came Out in Sinuiju
On September 20, an exile list was revealed as the investigation of the anti-socialist activity was coming to an end in Sinuiju in the North Pyongan Province. The people whose names are on the list tried to use personal connections and bribery to get their name off, but it was no use. They report being deeply distressed and have lost their will to live after uselessly spending such a large amount of money. Around 150 drug-related criminals were identified from this investigation. The Central Party is mulling over what to do with them. The Party is considering life imprisonment, re-education, and deportation. However, the Party is trying to devise a fundamental measure to eradicate the drug-related crimes because these punishments won’t stop them anyway.

Special Control over Food Transports in Large Cities
In large cities such as Pyongsung in the South Pyongan Province, Sariwon in the North Hwanghae Province, Sinuiju in the North Pyongan Province, and Hamheung in the South Hamgyong Province, the food transportation roads have been blocked to prevent food from leaving the cities. Thus, food transport has become difficult for everybody. Military personnel are used to transport food, however, food is now inspected despite being transported by military. The purpose of this special inspection is to prevent food from leaving the cities because of the terrible food situation going on.

Parents at Youngwoong Middle School complain because of non-tax contribution
Beginning on September 3, for three days, the entire student population of Youngwoong (“Hero”) Middle School in Yeonsah County, North Hamgyong Province, was mobilized to pick wild mushrooms. Each student had to pick at least 5 kg of mushrooms. Any student that could not fulfill the assigned quota, had to make it up with cash.1 kg of mushrooms is being sold for between 4 and 5 thousand NK won at the market, so this directive could mean a student’s family has to give the school twenty thousand NK won or more. The parents are understandably not happy with this. A year ago, a similar high, non-tax contribution was asked for by the school, which caused many parents and teachers to complain. The school has enjoyed a good reputation – it was renamed as Youngwoong (“Hero”) because it had produced 3 heroes in 10 years; and its principal was awarded “Certificate of Exemplary Teacher” several times by the provincial education department. However, because of the burden of such high non-tax contributions, the parents are keeping their children from going to school and having them work in the fields instead. Although the school knows what has happened to these students, it keeps telling the students, “We must not expect handouts from the government, and instead must become fully self-sustaining. Picking mushrooms provides enough funding to maintain and repair the school facilities,” and is why students are asked to continue giving the non-tax contribution.

Military Academy Discharges Tuberculosis Patients
Kimchuljoo Artillery General Military School (김철주 포병종합군관학교), located in the city of Soonchun, South Pyongan Province, performed health examinations for all its graduating seniors. The results showed that there were 85 cadets who were sick with tuberculosis, hepatitis or pleurisy. The school hospital recommended all of the students be discharged, as they would not be able to effectively serve in their deployed artillery bases after graduation.

North Korea Today No. 221

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No. 221 September 2008

A Woman Supporting Husband’s Education Is Criticized by Residents
Simple Cosmetic Surgery Is Popular Among Women with Food Shortage Problem
Cosmetic Surgery Price of Chungjin City
Reason for Having Cosmetic Surgery, “It is convenient not wearing make-up anymore”
A Woman Married To an Honored Military Man Runs Away From Home

A Woman Supporting Husband’s Education Is Criticized by Residents
Son Mi-hee (age 31) who lives in Yeomju County of North Pyongan Province is the real head of her household. She takes financial responsibility for her family and at the same time she supports her husband’s education. He is studying at Sariwon College of agriculture. Ms. Son brings salt for making Gimchi from the saltern of Yeomju County to Sinuiju by a handcart and sells it at 250 NK won per kg. During the off-season for farmers, she does everything she can do to make money and sends all this money to her husband. Because of the expensive education fee, she suffers with her household and she does not give enough food to her two daughters. Some neighbors praise her as an “excellent woman which is rare in this day and age”. But, others criticize her saying, “I don’t understand why she is so enthusiastic about supporting her husband’s education while her children are suffering from starvation.”

Simple Cosmetic Surgery Is Popular Among Women with Food Shortage Problem
Even when people are suffering from food shortage problem, plastic surgery becomes popular more and more. Ten years ago, plastic surgery was only possible in the big hospital of Pyongyang city. Historically, plastic surgery was only performed for burn victims, those who have severe scars on the face, or for a crooked nose or mouth. However, nowadays plastic surgery is done more for beauty reasons. Cosmetic surgery is gaining more popularity all over the country. Generally, the boom of cosmetic surgery started since 1997-98 as women who ran away to China acrossing the river got caught and came back.

However, these cosmetic procedures can’t really be called plastic surgery because usually there is no medical specialist and not many women get procedure done at the hospital. They do not have money and what they usually do is no more than tattooing eyebrow, lip lines or making double lids. Women with poor financial condition get this done by individual performers. Even young girls who just graduated junior high school goes around farm village and do the performance on the face with simple beauty appliances because it can make money. Not to mention, hospitals are getting involved more in cosmetic surgeries. Hospitals work on more complicated operations such as easing wrinkles and removing freckles, in addition to the simple jobs on eyebrow, lips and eyelid.

Cosmetic Surgery Price of Chungjin City
At a province hospital in Chungjin city, North Hamgyong Province, chemical remedy to get rid of wrinkles or freckles costs about 20,000 to 30,000 NK won (approx. US $6 to $9). Each tattooing of eyebrows and lip lines cost about five thousands NK won, and the price is five to eight thousands NK won for making double eyelids. However, it is cheaper if an individual performs the jobs, tattooing for thirty five hundreds NK won (approximately US $1) and double lids for five thousands NK won. As you get closer to rural area than cities, the price gets more expensive because the performers charge their traveling expenses. It costs four thousands NK won for tattooing and six thousands NK won for making double lids. As the number of the performers is increasing, the price of beauty appliances that make line for lips and eyebrow also goes up. Until 2005, those appliances were worth about thirty to fifty thousands NK won but now is it worth of range from one hundreds thousands even up to two hundreds thousands one in NK won.

Reason for Having Cosmetic Surgery, “It is convenient not wearing make-up anymore”
Females of Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province are very interested in getting plastic surgery such as tattooing eyebrow, lip lines and making double lids whether they are young or 40-50 years old. Besides, the interests of rural women are the same as the interests of city women. Kang Jeong-ran (age 24) who is going around farms and performing medical treatments said, “It is most popular among farm women. Because they often miss washing faces during the busy farming season, having tattoos on eyebrow and lips allows to save time from wearing make up and to save money from buying cosmetics. Thus, income had been good until last year. It was hard to find maidens who have not had plastic surgeries even with regulation of the party. However, it is very difficult in this year. It is very rare to find customers because there are many people who do not even have porridge. I hope food shortage problem is resolved quickly. If food problem is eased, I think I can make profits again since there are still many women having interests in plastic surgery.”

A Woman Married To an Honored Military Man Runs Away From Home
Song Young-ae (age 27) who is a directive officer of Youth Union of Sariwon City in North Hwanghae Province was married to Choi Young-seok (age 32), whose lower body was paralyzed two years ago. The bride recently ran away from home. When they were married two years ago, they were blessed by the City Party officials and neighborhood. They were even on TV and became very famous. Before Ms. Song left home, she struggled from her bad financial situation saying, “The government is not supplying food properly even for an honored soldier who became disabled while working for the country. As much as it is difficult for normal person, the disabled is having more difficulty. There is no other way left but dying.”

North Korea Today No. 220

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No. 220 September 2008

Daily Entreaties, “Please Abolish Age Restrictions on Commercial Activities”
County of Ryongchun, “Rice Dealers, Change Your Careers”
Without Seed Money, There are Only “Stake Peddlers, Echo Peddlers”
Even Imitations of “Magpie” Shoes in Circulation
Prices Increase On The Occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival (Chuseok)
City of Pyongyang, Special Ration on Occasion of the Chuseok (Mid-Autumn Festival)
September Distribution of 15 kg of Corn by Sinuiju University

Daily Entreaties, “Please Abolish Age Restrictions on Commercial Activities”
It has been disclosed that the provincial People’s Council of North Hamgyong Province receives more than ten entreaties daily, asking to abolish age restrictions on commercial activities. Women under the age of forty are prohibited from engaging in commercial activities and consequently suffer from an inability to make an adequate living. It is these women who seem to petition the Council most often. Most entreaties claim that there should not be any restrictions on those capable of earning a living. They claim that the state currently is not able to provide adequate food and clothing to people. Under these circumstances, rather than enacting any restrictions, shouldn’t the state encourage people to do their best in solving the problems of daily life? Such is the main theme of their claims.

A woman who claims to have submitted an entreaty says, “prohibition from commercial activities has made daily living much harder. As the living conditions get harder, what can we expect the people to do? I can only expect more people to turn to crime. Only those who are willing to steal some corn or potato or deal with the contraband, ‘ice’ (methamphetamines) can survive, even if only on porridge. The harder daily living becomes, the greater the number of crimes in a society. The effect of these labor restrictions is complex, generating more criminals in the society and creating a disturbance. The prohibition from commercial activities does not organize the markets, as high-ranking officials desire, but creates more turmoil within them. How can the leaders not understand this?” She suggested that the unreasonable regulations be changed.

County of Ryongchun, “Rice Dealers, Change Your Careers”
Early September in Ryongchun County, North Pyongan Province, the General Conference of Labor Party was held in public. The General Conference discussed the idea that “Dealing in rice should cease.” Further mention was made, “Do not deal in rice anymore. Follow the rules of the law. Accordingly, rice dealers had better change careers.” Residents of Ryongchun County expected the food situation to get better after a splendid celebration of the 60th anniversary of the foundation day of the republic. But there was only disappointment.

Without Seed Money, There are Only “Stake Peddlers, Echo Peddlers”
At Rakwon in South Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, there are many factories, but few of them provide their workers with wages and food rations. Families of the workers here rely on income brought in by female peddlers. But women under the age of forty are prohibited from commercial activities. Those women who are permitted to work but lack any seed money to start their business barely survive by being “Alley Peddler”, “Stake Peddler” or “Echo Peddler.” Those cigarette peddlers standing on the streets are called “Stake Peddlers” and those who advertise their goods by shouting in the streets are called “Echo Peddlers.” These peddlers struggle every day and barely earn enough for meals of porridge. All they can do is buy corn noodles and boil them in salt water to make porridge.

Even Imitations of “Magpie” Shoes in Circulation
The favorite shoes of the residents of North Korea are the “magpie” shoes made in Sinuiju. Genuine products normally cost 7,500 NK won a pair, so imitation products have become popular. The imitation “magpie” shoes are manufactured in Hamheung and sell for 3,500 NK won a pair. The least expensive Chinese-made shoes usually cost 15,000 NK won and those with money buy the Chinese shoes rather than the “magpie” shoes. In the major markets of Pyongsung, Soonchun and Wonsan, imitation products of the Chinese shoes are circulated in large quantities.

Prices Increase On The Occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival (Chuseok)
On the occasion of the Chuseok (Mid-Autumn Festival), the prices of food items, including those used in traditional ancestor-worship rituals, soared in all of the major markets in the country. Cabbage, which usually costs 600 NK won per Kg, doubled to 1,200 NK won, the price of apples jumped from 3,000 to 4,500 NK won, a 50% increase. Fish used to cost 3,000 NK won, but now sells for 4,000 won. The price of pork went from 5,000 per kg to 6,500 NK won, eggs from 250 to 350. Soybean oil now sells for 7,000 NK won per kg, seasoning for 8,000, garlic for 1,500 and red pepper for 8,000 NK won. (US$1.00 is approximately 3,300 NK won.)

City of Pyongyang, Special Ration on Occasion of the Chuseok (Mid-Autumn Festival)
On the occasion of the Chuseok, the City of Pyongyang provided residents, including farmers of its neighboring villages and soldiers at the garrison, with special rations. Each person was given 1.5 kg of rice. Normally the soldiers at the garrison were fed once a day with a meal of long grain rice or three potatoes and two boiled corncobs.

September Distribution of 15 kg of Corn by Sinuiju University
Sinuiju University distributed 15 kg of corn as rations for September. The distributed corn of 15 kg barely weighed 7 kg after drying. People are worried that they have to survive for a month on 7 kg of corn. The university dormitory provides meals of whole wheat or corn noodles.

North Korea Today No. 219

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SOCIETY
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng
No. 219 September 2008

Blamed For Other Thefts after Two Thefts
Shooting At the Boat That Tried To Go To the South
Masked Robbers Appear in a Mountain Trail in Rasun City
“Thousand Miles with Our Great General? Backward Miles with Our Great General”
“A Hill Too Dangerous to Cross Alone”
"A world where loan sharks thrive"

Blamed For Other Thefts after Two Thefts
Cast steel ironworkers of Gimchaek Steel Mill in Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province, were caught after two consecutive thefts. Earlier, they had traded 60 square meter of iron plate for 250 kg of flour, but on August 19, the security patrol caught them stealing once again in the same manner. Gimchaek Steel Mill was producing 400 square meter of iron plate for the National Defense Committee and there had been 18 thefts already. Seven people caught this time are likely to be charged for all these previous thefts even though they were only involved in the last two. Many officials actually sort of allowed people to steal because they understood how serious the food situation was. However, none of the officials came out saying they were involved. Co-workers said, “Being charged for all other thefts is too harsh.” Department of Security said, “We will know if they are responsible for all others when the investigation is over.”

Shooting At the Boat That Tried To Go To the South
Last August 27, there was incident of shooting on a small boat (쪽배) that was trying to go to South Korea. An anonymous worker and his family were on the boat. This worker is known to have attempted crossing the border several times in the past. This time, he was trying to cross the border with his two children but without his wife. The coastal patrol boat, suspicious of the boats coordinates, followed it and opened fire. Everyone on the boat was killed. The Department of Security in Heungnam is investigating how the ideology of this worker has been changing by questioning his neighbors. During the investigation, the wife was said to have confessed that he had tried to cross the border several times in the past. The coastal police staff that allowed the boat to leave was found to have received money, and they were immediately arrested.

After this incident, the government prohibited all ships to go out to the ocean saying that it is a punishment to all. Suh Keum-suk (51) whose life depends on squid fishing cried out, “I can barely survive even when I go out to the ocean every day. Now, how cam I going to live?”

Masked Robbers Appear in a Mountain Trail in Rasun City
Early this September, three masked robbers attacked a vehicle that was transporting corns over the mountain trail, Juhseulryong Hill (저슬령고개), in Rausun City, Northern Hamgyong. These robbers placed several rocks on the road to make the vehicle stop, and then pulled out the driver and two female merchants. As the women protested and did not follow the orders, the robbers beat them several times, took the key, and drove away in the stolen vehicle. Two women cried out loud because they lost all the corns they bought with borrowed money.

“Thousand Miles with Our Great General? Backward Miles with Our Great General”
Last August, a new sign saying ‘Thousand miles with our Great General’ was posted at the entrance of Gogunwon, Saebyul County, in North Hamgyong Province. However, just a few days later, the word ‘Thousand’ was erased and was replaced with ‘Backward.’ The sign now reads ‘Backward miles with our Great General.’ The military intelligence office started investigating immediately. At the scene, they found a brick that seems to have been used to change the letters. The Department of Security repaired the sign while also questioning people who had recently been released from reform institutions. People who saw the changed sign were fingerprinted and wrote a statement vowing that they that they will never disclose this matter. “Report immediately if you know anyone who is discontent with the government,” requested the investigators.

“A Hill Too Dangerous to Cross Alone”
Recently, there has been a great increase in robbery in the Sohchangryong Hill (소창령고개), Jangjin Highlands (장진고원), South Hamgyong Province. The robbers not only took away the possessions of the pedestrians but also they often raped women regardless of their age. As the news spread, people shun the hill area in the afternoon. Even in the broad daylight, if one has to cross the hill, he waits at the foot of the hill until there are others to go together. The residents are complaining the lack of protection from the officials and expressing their growing fear of these robbers.

"A world where loan sharks thrive"
Jung Myong-hak (46 years old) lives at Gwangchun-dong, Danchun City, South Hamgyong Province and is well-known for his good business skills and accumulated wealth. Jung also lends money with high interest. So many people borrow from him that there may not be any in Gwangchun-dong who does not owe Jung money. He has good connections with the officials and thus is not easily caught for these actions. However, Jung recently got into a fight with a borrower who has not paid off his loan. After fiercely arguing for a while, Jung stabbed the man out of anger and injured him. He was jailed but was released three days later when he was found not guilty. The residents complained, “The law is rotten. How can a man get away for stabbing and maiming another man? The law enforcement people are blinded by money and do not implement the law.” Upon his release from the detention center, Jung took several burly men with him and went to the man’s house where he was lying on bed from the stab wounds and demanded prompt payments. The victim’s family was so scared they wrote an I-Owe-You and promised to pay back without fail.