Good Friends USA

Saturday, February 6, 2010

North Korea Today No. 329 Hot Topics, Food and Editorial February 2010

[“Good Friends” aims to help the North Korean people from a humanistic point of view and publishes “North Korea Today” describing the way the North Korean people live as accurately as possible. We at Good Friends also hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.]
__________________________________________________________
[Hot Topics]
Central Party’s Economic Policy Review Department Conducts Field Survey - “A serious situation with many suffering from hunger"
Danchun City Residents, “Do you mean to starve us to death?” Mass Protest
In Chungjin City, Many Households Cannot Even Afford One Meal a Day
In Danchun City, People’s Complaints Grow Stronger: “Government is doing nothing to resolve people’s starvation issue.”
Ministry of People’s Armed Forces, “All-out efforts to secure military provision”

[Food]
Farmers at Sagu-ri Farm in Chungjin Received 400kg of Food

[Editorial]
It is Time to Release Relief Rice
__________________________________________________________
[Hot Topics]
Central Party’s Economic Policy Review Department Conducts Field Survey - “A serious situation with many suffering from hunger"
In mid January, The Economic Policy Review Department of Central Party conducted a field survey to find out the living conditions of the residents. The result showed that the conditions of living are very seriously difficult. In particular, those who had been engaged in trading experienced grave difficulty due to banning of market activities and the price hike. Even if they want to do the trading in secret, there is no merchandise. Because of (the government's) severe crackdown, import-export companies and big business owners do not want to sell their goods and the market in general has shriveled up.

A staff in the Interior Department told that, "The cases where people die because they have no food or there were no food they could buy even if they had money are beginning to appear in every province." According to the statistics from the survey, "The poorest province is South Hamgyong Province, and within that province, Danchun City." Danchun City was the highest in the number of households died of starvation during the beginning of January up to 26th. In Danchun City, there are people in every group who cannot go to work due to hunger, and one or two persons die of starvation every day. A city official of Danchun City revealed that, "(the City Party) knows that there are many deaths. The case of old folks who are generally in poor health is one of the reasons, but because there is nothing to eat they get sick and die." A staff of City Party said that increasing number of people die after living without any food, just drinking water for about a week, and the situation is very serious.

According to the statistics reported to the City Party, Chungjin City in North Hamgyong Province is next in terms of the number of households dying of hunger. Many laborers congregate in Chungjin City, which played the role of wholesale market to the whole country, but due to banning of market activities the merchants received terrible blow. Most laborers had been making a living either by trading or 8.3*. They say that because of the new economy control measures the living became harder than the time of Arduous March. In other areas, those that hung on to life without food since the implementation of currency revaluation began to die gradually after mid-January.

(*translator's note: 8.3 refers to the laborers who, instead of reporting to a job that does not pay, opt to earn a living by cultivating small patch of land or trading, and pay money to his company to avoid any punishment for not reporting to work. At present, major city laborers pay Won 15,000-Won 20,000 (approx. $4 to $6) a month.)

Danchun City Residents, “Do you mean to starve us to death?” Mass Protest
Danchun City, South Hamgyong Province is named to have the highest death due to starvation by the result of the field survey, and war veteran residents from the city held a mass protest in front of their city hall. Mainly war veterans over the ages of 70-80 gathered and they were followed by other elders and residents, so the momentum was great. War veterans sat across from city office and violently complained, “We worked hard for our survival during the Arduous March, but the current movement of opening doors to the Strong and Prosperous Nation would make everyone starved to death with currency exchange. Are you going to starve us to death?” The atmosphere turned ugly for a while when residents charged up with emotions screamed after hearing war veteran’s speech. An elder cried, “What is the use of the City Party or people’s government organization when they cannot feed their people? When we followed the Great Leader during the revolution, we wanted to make sure our descendents were well-off. It doesn’t matter if old people die, but our descendents are all about to die. We don’t need such government.” The City Party of Danchun City reported this incident directly to the Central Party. On January 26, the Central Party ordered, “Distribute 1,000 tons of rice that is being saved as Number 2 reserve in Danchun City farms.” The City Party rushed distribution at the end of January to residents with the most difficult living situation. An official at Danchun City commented, “Residents of other cities and counties are having difficulties, but our residents seem to suffer the most. More people are dying and many households with 4-5 members are living off of 500g of corn noodle boiled in water.”

In Chungjin City, Many Households Cannot Even Afford One Meal a Day
On January 28th, some people in Chungjin City (i.e., two households at Songpyong district and one household at Ranam district in Chungjin city, North Hamgyong province) died of hunger. According to the survey of each neighborhood unit in Chungjin City – assuming each neighborhood unit consists of 30 households – very few households eat white rice, about 5-6 households mix of corn and rice half-and-half, about 10 households eat porridge of available grain of cereals, and the rest eat only one or two meals a day with porridge of ground corncob. In each neighborhood unit, more than half of the households struggle to take at least two meals a day, but they end up having at most one meal a day. One official of the City Party said “at this moment, people’s suffering defies description; their living condition is many times more difficult than the sufferings of the Arduous March. Many households barely make one or two meals a day with corn noodles or porridge of residues from bean oil and ground corncob. Each household struggles to take at least two meals a day, but if they fail to do so, some people in the family die of starvation.”

In Danchun City, People’s complaints Grow Stronger: “Government is doing nothing to resolve people’s starvation issue.”
Chang, Keum-Ok (alias), a resident in Danchun city, south Hamgyong province complained about the government’s inaction: “they know of people dying of hunger, but they do nothing to resolve people’s suffering.” People cannot find grain even if they want to buy, and the food prices skyrocket everyday. People can do nothing but despair at this moment. Ko, Byong-Gook (alias) complained that “if the government took away all of people’s money, they should provide services and goods to ensure people’s basic living conditions. They just say nicely, but nothing is actually coming out to support people’s basic living conditions.” There are some rumors from some part of the City Party that PDS (Public Distribution System) may be reactivated around February 16 holiday, but people are not terribly excited by that. People complain that “even if that is true, people will die of hunger while waiting for that to happen. Will the government let starving people die?” People complain that they are experiencing the worst ordeal right now: “our government does not show any mercy; instead they seem to test how long their people could survive without sufficient food.”

Ministry of People’s Armed Forces, “All-out efforts to secure military provision”
On January 20, Ministry of People’s Armed Forces convened a meeting to devise measures to secure the military provisions with commanding officers at director level of the Support Bureau, military officials and relevant cabinet officials attending. The main point made in the meeting was “The military provisions should be secured even by emptying all the harvested grains.” As the food shortage situation of people is getting worse nationwide, a possibility of riot was also suggested, if groundbreaking measure is not prepared until February. However, nobody raised opposition to the idea that securing the army provision is the priority.

[Food]
Farmers at Sagu-ri Farm in Chungjin Received 400kg of Food
At the End of Year Recapitulation for 2009 in Sagu-ri Farm in Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province, it turned out the original grain plan was not achieved. Farmers of the 1st sub-team of the 4th work unit received the largest amount of distribution, which barely reached 400 kg of food and 100,000 won per person. The sub-teams that did not accomplish the plan received 300 kg of food and 22,000 won per person on average. Distribution for 1st, 5th and 6th work units were even cut off because they managed laboring bulls poorly. The farmers of those units had to pay indemnity for stolen or lost laboring bulls last spring and fall. The farmers who were directly responsible for the loss did not receive cash distribution at all. In addition, some bulls died from nutrition problems because they were not fed well during the plowing and harrowing season in spring, and farmers had to pay 15,000 won for compensation, from 30,000 won of distribution they received. On the other hand, some farmers who successfully managed laboring bulls received 40,000 won according to the merits for laboring bull management, even if they did not meet the grain plan. Farmers of Sagu-ri farm reported that although they received food and monetary distribution, it is not of great help as the prices keep rising. Many people say they lose motivation to work because no matter how hard they work, the prices jump in double digits and the value of new currency plummets.

[Editorial]
It is Time to Release Relief Rice
It has been reported that people are dying of hunger even though it is not spring lean season. At this point, it is just a random figure of “one or two people die out of hunger”, but considering the series of events after the currency exchange, what we have all been worried about seems to be happening. The signs were already there when the rice price skyrocketed as it rose to 1,100 won in Chungjin.

Currently, there is not much influx of rice in the market; people don’t have enough money to purchase rice even if they put the relief money and 2,000-3,000 won salary together; the means to maintain the livelihood became severely diminished due to ban on trading; and it is increasingly difficult to find food in the households with no rice stock. To make matters worse, it is in the middle of cold winter season without even grass to feed on. Therefore, people would eventually die out of hunger. Those were the signs.

The North Korean authorities would have known all that. However, we have never heard of news saying solutions are in place. People’s patience seems to have reached the limit. In Danchun city, there was a mass protest led by old war veterans against the City Party calling for measures to deal with food shortage. People’s demand for food is likely to grow stronger since the number of people starving is increasing in other areas.

It is time to release relief rice without hesitation. The Great King Sejong, the most revered as the greatest king in Korean history, also started his rein by releasing relief rice. As soon as he was enthroned, he had to face 7-long years of drought and famine, so he set up a large kitchen in Kwanghwamoon 4-way intersection and ordered to cook rice porridge. The purpose was to feed anyone who passes by could eat at least one meal so that nobody could die of hunger. Although what’s needed is a long-term supply plan is necessary, this story demonstrates what should be done in order to help people to preserve their lives by releasing the relief rice.

Second, markets are allowed temporarily in some areas, but that should be expanded throughout the nation as soon as possible. The skyrocketing prices blown up out of proportion should be lowered by circulating rice and goods in the market, and people’s purchasing power needs to be restored. There is a saying in the Chinese classic, Suhkyung, “If people wish, then heaven delivers.” In other words, people’s determination to survive by trading in the market cannot be suppressed by force. The great Chinese king Soon also said, “The king’s throne will be lost forever if people’s lives become destitute.” This means the most important policy is to take care of people’s hunger, and that is the most natural thing to follow through.

The North Korean authorities must release food distribution first and prevent people from die of hunger. In addition, they should let people find means to survive on their own by allowing the market. They must seek external aid if the situation is deemed to be urgent. The measure North Korean government should take at this point is to feed the people by releasing the food through distribution and ask for external aid if what they have is not enough.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

North Korea Today No. 328 January 2010

[Hot Topics]
Skyrocketing Rice Price Hit 1,000 Won in a Week, Chungjin
Retail Merchants Low on Business Funds as Prices Soar
Residents, “Buy at today’s price or wait until tomorrow?”
Soaring Prices Invite People’s Hostility against New Economic Policies

[Food]
Provincial Residents Yearn for “Government Food Release” after Learning about January Food Distribution in Pyongyang

[Economy]
In Hoeryong, Government Ban on Market Enforced against Public Sentiment

[Politics]
North and South Hamgyong Provinces Censure Electricity on Shifts
“Make an example”, As the Foreign Currency Prohibition Decree Not Work Well

[Society]
Hair Salon Customers Turned Away because of High Cost of Perm Chemicals
People’s Anxiety Increases as Prices Soar and Rumors Circulate

[Women/Children/Education]
Eunduck County DSW Troubled by Large Number of Female Border Crossers

[Accidents]
Suspected Accomplice of Hoeryong Spy Incident Commits Suicide

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[Hot Topics]
Skyrocketing Rice Price Hit 1,000 Won in a Week, Chungjin
Rice price is breaking the record every day. Particularly, the rice price in Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province shows the most noticeable increase. The price jumped from 240 won/kg on January 15th to 280 won/kg on 20th and on the next day, the price rose from 300 won in the morning to 350 won in the afternoon. On 22nd, the price soared to 500 won and yet again to 650 won in the afternoon. On the same day, the rice price exceeded 300 won/kg in Pyongyang and major cities including Sariwon in North Hwanghae Province, Haeju in South Hwanghae Province, Wonsan in Kangwon Province, Pyongsung in South Pyongan Province and Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province. The price hit 350 won in Sinuiju and it reached 400 won in Pyonsung. The soaring price did not stop there. On 24th, the steep rise of the rice price reached as high as 1,100 won in Sunam market in Chungjin. The price hit 800 won in Hoeryung. Dollar price reached 42,000 won per dollar in Pyongyang and Sinuiju. Rumors say it would exceed 60,000 won soon.

Residents of Chungjin are in devastation at the news of skyrocketing rice price. Merchants are raising the price while not selling rice, and residents cannot even try to buy it. If the situation persists, some people even projects, the price would hit the level of old currency era (2,000 won) in no time. Residents appear very anxious, saying “The food price seems to be a mess.” Food and other prices are rising so rapidly that the residents who were unable to secure daily necessities are experiencing great difficulties. Residents of Chungjin harbor a question that the financial management policies of the authorities might have been wrong, saying, “It has not been long after the currency exchange but the new money has lost the value like old currency already.”

Retail Merchants Low on Business Funds as Prices Soar
The numbers of merchants going bankrupt with high debt due to soaring price are increasing in major cities including Hamheung City, South Hamgyong Province, Soonchun City, Pyungan Province and Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province. Buying low and selling at slightly higher price, retail merchants had no problem making profit when rice price was 80-90 won. However, in January, they could no longer afford buying any more products with skyrocketing prices. They suffered tremendous loss because price for their product soared and they cannot afford to buy other products to sell. A bean oil seller from Sinam District at Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province said that 80kg was priced at 150-170 won but it increased to 450-500 won in the next week. Last 22nd, price tripled to over 1,500 won so he complained as he no longer can sell bean oil even if he invests all his past profits. Because price skyrocketed, merchants who did not secure enough products are worried that they would lose all their capital.

Residents, “Buy at today’s price or wait until tomorrow?”
Residents are having difficulties with steep price increase. They need to buy food and daily necessity but are debating whether to buy at today’s price or wait until price stabilizes. New currency is losing its value everyday so residents can not easily purchase food or merchandise. Even if they try to buy something, they have hard time finding a merchant and market does not carry many products. Households that used to consume rice are now eating soup for a meal to save food. Poorer households are now eating wet dried radish leaf soup with corn noodle for each meal. They complained that it is hard to buy 1 kg of rice or even a handful with the current skyrocketed food price, so everyone is trying very hard to save food.

Soaring Prices Invite People’s Hostility against New Economic Policies
An abnormal surge in prices provokes people’s antipathy against new economic control measures. Soaring prices make people’s livelihood difficult. Furthermore, the ban on business and commerce makes their basic livelihood even more difficult, so their clamor is high. The residents in Sunchun, South Pyongan province do not hide their opposition. They complain that “the government’s new economic measures make people die of hunger. Instead of making a Strong and Prosperous Nation for people, the new economic measures open the door of poverty and hunger for people.” Heyoung Kim (alias) said “women who feed a family have many opinions on the new economic measures. Compared to the days of old monetary system, our living condition is much worse. Many households cannot even eat corn porridges. Since people’s living condition is at the bottom, they talk badly to the government.” Police officials agree with such sentiments. “In these days, people are increasingly angry and harshly blame the government. Their firm belief and commitment about the Strong and Prosperous Nation are already gone. Political speeches and lectures these days are not effective to reorient and realign the people to the nation’s ideology. They seem to think only about the means and ways to make their living.”

Meanwhile, the authorities encourage people through various political speeches and lectures. They assert that “difficult living conditions are only temporary. The new economic measures will soon improve the living conditions of workers and farmers. So please be patient and let’s overcome the difficulties together. Do not have fantasy about foreign countries and do perform well on what you are supposed to do in order to make a breakthrough in building the Strong and Prosperous Nation.” However, people do not appear to take the government’s words very seriously. They say “the government enticed the people through the rosy promise of improving people’s living via the new economic measures. However, prices are soaring and the value of new money is plummeting now. The current situation is a real mess. How further will the authorities only talk about the Strong and Prosperous Nation?”

[Food]
Provincial Residents Yearn for “Government Food Release” after Learning about January Food Distribution in Pyongyang
Pyongyang received early January food distribution followed by early December distribution last year. In Hoeryong, January food distribution was supplied with corn. Other areas, except for these two cities, did not receive food supplies. The residents in other areas say, "All prices would stabilize if the government released reserve rice." They say they cannot make a living unless soaring prices are controlled in some way. It is not that people are asking the government to distribute rice for free, but they want the government to lower the price of rice by releasing its stock into the market because people cannot afford to it when the price of rice goes over 300 won per kg and then to beyond 1,000 won per kg. People say that it would be a relief if the price comes down to 70 won per kg when the price was going up and down at about 100 won per kg. Now, they do not even mention that. So, they do not even dream about the government-set price of 44 won per kg. People are wishing for releasing of rice in one way or another.

[Economy]
In Hoeryong, Government Ban on Market Enforced against Public Sentiment
It did not take long for the City Party in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province to re-open the general markets and allow merchants to do business on sales booth. This was in response to public outcry over the severe hardship that resulted after the conversion from general markets to a farmers’ market. Outcry went through the roof, with the public complaining that; “there was no increase in whole corn distribution, contrary to the official announcement. In addition, the sharp increase in corn prices, caused by the ban on markets, coupled with meager corn distribution would leave us with the risk of starvation.” The residents have constantly requested, “If the distribution of (food) provisions is not feasible, then at least allow market operation.”

In response to the outcry, the City Party reported the public sentiment to the Province and the Central Party and re-opened the markets temporarily until the food and daily necessities were supplied. In other words, on the afternoon of the 17th, the City Party lifted the restriction on the markets, which sold only agricultural and local goods. The market is supposed to be banned again, once the foods and necessities are distributed normally. As such, merchants were allowed to trade banned items in farmers market. However, not much trading took place because wholesalers had no goods to supply to the local market. Although the restrictions were lifted temporarily to help people’s livelihood, the restrictions had to be enforced in less than two days after the reopening of the market after being reprimanded by the Central Party.

[Politics]
North and South Hamgyong Provinces Censure Electricity on Shifts
The North Hamgyong Province and South Hamgyong Province are executing the censorship of the electricity on shifts for the first time this year. The censorship of the electricity on shifts is done every year, but it is more emphasized this year as the National Defense Committee commanded to adhere to the New Year’s Day Joint Editorial of January 1, 2010 that said, “The electricity must be secured in the munitions security enterprises and workplaces even if the electricity cannot be provided in the social institutions.” Currently, the electricity is not provided at all in civil and nonproductive sectors and only the approved places among the productive factories and public enterprises are provided of electricity 6 hours per day.

“Make an example”, As the Foreign Currency Prohibition Decree Did Not Work Well
As the foreign currency rate is rising every hour in spite of the foreign currency prohibition decree, the merchants are trying to receive the foreign currency if possible, saying that they will be on the short end of the deal if they receive the Chosun money. As the foreign currency is still in circulation between merchants and people instead of going to the National Bank, the Central Party has begun to seek the measures to prevent it. On 14th, the Central Party dispatched one officer to each province and instructed them to “arrest people who circulate or use the foreign currency and make an example.” On 18th, the Chungjin City of North Hamgyong Province arrested 7 people who attempted to exchange the foreign currency and cracked down 3 trading companies that used the foreign currency in domestic trade. The leading officer of the foreign currency inspection enforcement team ordered the companies to be shut down. The people who were exchanging foreign currency are arrested one after another in Pyongsung, Haeju, and Hamheung as well as Pyongyang City, and all the foreign currency is confiscated without compensation. In an attempt to produce results in foreign currency crackdown, the enforcement teams dispatched to each province to execute the foreign currency decree are primarily focusing on ex-convicts who had dealt drugs or banned trade items by the state. In addition, the houses that are known to have a lot of money or very successful business, people who exchange foreign currency at a trade company, and negotiators who exchange foreign currency are widely investigated. The surveillance is extended to the wealthy people and those who visit the house of the wealthy in the National Border Area where a large amount of foreign currency are mostly circulated in black market. It is reported that the enforcement teams will inquire about the source of the foreign currency and depending on the seriousness of the crime, will even consider an execution by firing squad if judged to be serious.

[Society]
Hair Salon Customers Turned Away because of High Cost of Perm Chemicals
Salons are rejecting new perm clients in Pyungsung, South Pyungan Province because of the high cost of chemicals. In one salon, the workers were not working but chatting with one another. When asked why they were rejecting new customers, the responded that they do not generate any profit by performing perms. They claimed that the price for a long hair perm was 60 won in the new currency, and 30 won for short hair, but the chemicals for a perm alone cost 100 won. One potential customer, who was turned away, Miss Kim Young Hee (alias), reported that young university students with long hair were being turned away and she was concerned that getting a simple hair treatment would be very difficult now.

People’s Anxiety Increases as Prices Soar and Rumors Circulate
As prices in the market soar, residents of North Korea are feeling anxious amid circulating rumors. Midlevel officials also are not exempt from the anxiety about rising prices. An official in Hamheung City in the South Hamgyong Province said, “After the currency reform, the number of households facing starvation has increased, so the City Party ordered a survey of such households. Maybe they mean to distribute rice. There is also a rumor that China stopped exporting rice to North Korea, and the markets ceased to sell Chinese rice. Because there is no way to verify the rumor, there is increasing fear that the rice price will increase.” The City Party continuously lectures about “stopping rumors circulating the society after the currency reform and the ban on using foreign currency.” The City Party announced that the rumor about counterfeit two-thousand won bills and additional currency reform is not true. Upon hearing about the news that Pyongyang began distributing rice from January, people of Hamheung City are complaining that rural residents do not have the same rights as urban residents. Some residents say, “After the currency reform, people are suffering from rising prices, but instead of solving the problem, the government only regulates the market. They confiscate items from the market, so people are angry. It is like an aftermath of a war. Given the situation, it is natural that rumors are spreading. Indeed, some people are wishing for another currency reform.”

[Women/Children/Education]
Eunduck County DSW Troubled by Large Number of Female Border Crossers
In Eunduk County, North Hamgyong Province, the district office of the DSW (Democratic Women's Union) is troubled by the result of a follow up inspection which shows that there are still many of women fleeing the county across the river. In 2008, more than thirty single women and twenty married women had escaped from February through November. In 2009, thirty-five women left their hometown from May through September. Twenty of them got caught and were sent to the re-education center after being tried in the people's court on November 3. In particular, increase in the number of female 5th and 6th graders in Obong junior-high school who ran away was raised as a major issue, and warned by the county party, police department and youth union. Eunduk County party held a community meeting and warned that crimes of human trafficking - minor trafficking in particular - will be punished by execution by firing squad. In Obong mining district, there are many households without mother because a number of housewives ran away across the river among poor residents who survive with only one or two meal a day.

[Accidents]
Suspected Accomplice of Hoeryong Spy Incident Commits Suicide
It was discovered that Mr. Oh, a man in his forties, who lived in Osanduk-dong in Hoeryung City, North Hamgyong Province committed suicide with his wife. According to neighbors, the couple argued frequently and had been fighting for the last week. The police are investigating whether the incident was a suicide or a homicide based on the facts that he was temporarily associated with drug trade and they have contacted the Party Secretary of Yusun Hospital. Many of the residents have been whispering that “he probably committed suicide in fear of being executed after seeing so many people being taken away.”

Thursday, January 28, 2010

North Korea Today No. 326 Full Version January 2010

[“Good Friends” aims to help the North Korean people from a humanistic point of view and publishes “North Korea Today” describing the way the North Korean people live as accurately as possible. We at Good Friends also hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.]
__________________________________________________________
[Hot Topics]
Note: Hot Topics of this edition were released earlier as a separate edition.

[Food]
Note: The food section of this edition was released earlier as a separate edition.

[Economy]
Cabinet Orders Factories and Public Enterprises: “Make a List of Reserve Goods and Return them to the Cities and Counties."
“Currency Exchange Rate of 100 to 1 not Equals to Buying 100 Products at Price of One"

[Politics]
The Aftermath of Yoosun Hospital Espionage Case is Fierce
Organization Secretary of Hoeryong City Party Involved in the Espionage Case is Placed in the Buryung-town Collective Farm
Unregistered Lodging in Border Areas to Be Punished Even for Relatives

[Society]
Public Sentiment Worsens Over Market Closure

[Women/Children/Education]
University Faculty Used Students for Currency Exchange

[Accidents]
Son Commits Suicide after Being Scolded by Father for Ice (amphetamine) Use
__________________________________________________________
[Hot Topics]
Note: Hot Topics of this edition were released earlier as a separate edition.

[Food]
Note: The food section of this edition was released earlier as a separate edition.

[Economy]
Cabinet Orders Factories and Public Enterprises: “Make a list of reserve goods and return them to the cities and counties."
On January 10th, the Cabinet issued a nationwide directive requesting to "make a list of all foods and merchandises kept as reserve or retained for purposes of managing factory and enterprise and return them to the cities and counties in their jurisdiction." Since January 11th, the city and county parties in the nation held all-member meetings and delivered the order to each factory and enterprise. Each factory and enterprise subsequently held internal meetings and launched projects to return those reserve foods and products. Each city and county party inspection committee and prosecutor's office monitor the progress in order to keep individuals from stealing them. Such foods and merchandises will be used to assist people whose lives are at risk because they cannot do business.

“Currency Exchange Rate of 100 to 1 not Equals to Buying 100 Products at Price of One"
In all parts of the country, for each unit and workplace, series of educational lectures were given to people because the government determined that public opinion got worse since the currency exchange measures due to people's misperception on them. The main message of the lecture was that “currency exchange rate of 100 to 1 does not mean one can buy 100 products at a price of one. Due to rising prices, people question the government's policies, but they need to have a right understanding on the currency exchange measures." However, regarding the question of why prices were not set 100 to 1, the lecture only stated that "do not question about why state stores do not sell goods at 100 to 1 prices; all goods are sold at prices established by the State Pricing Committee." In addition, each unit and enterprise party has emphasized repeatedly to the residents that they need to live with the following understanding: "unlike currency exchange rate, prices set by the State are not 100 to 1."

[Politics]
The Aftermath of Yoosun Hospital Espionage Case is Fierce
The Primary Party Secretary Espionage Case of Yoosun People’s Hospital in Hoeryong City, North Hamgyong Province, is having a fierce aftermath as it escalates into a problem of the Provincial Party of the North Hamgyong Province. Sixteen administrative officers from the Hoeryong City Party have been dismissed for polluted ideological state and lately, eleven officers were additionally dismissed. Currently the investigation is underway on the administrative officers of the City Party, and the investigation is focused on whether there are any connections in China and whether there are any defectors among the family members or relatives. When appointing new officers, only the people who do not have border-crossers among his family and relatives are selected. Mostly the government officials are relocated these days, but it is expected that the low-ranking officers in each sector as well as ordinary residents are to be moved in the future. It is the policy of the Party that the households whose lives are assisted by the family or relatives who have defected to China or South Korea will be unconditionally relocated to other region by 2011. Once the placement of the officials is completed, it is reported that the relocation process will begin after the primary inspection of the residents.

Organization Secretary of Hoeryong City Party Involved in the Espionage Case is Placed in the Buryung-town Collective Farm
The Organization Secretary of the Hoeryong City Party was dismissed for improper handling of the Yoosun Hospital Espionage Case and was placed in the Buryung-town Collective Farm in Buryung County as a farm member. Twenty seven officers—the administrative officers of the City Party who are directly or indirectly related to the Espionage Case and the officers whose relative had crossed the border to China—were also dismissed and were demoted to laborers or farm members. In case of the chief of the Hoeryong City Post Office, it was disclosed that his daughter had crossed the border, so he was assigned to a mining machinery factory as a laborer. The investigation and the relocation of the officers are expected to continue for a while. Starting February, the second wave of expulsion of the officers is expected to be processed. At that time, Hoeryong City Party as well as low-ranking officers from workplaces, public enterprises and farm work units and educational officers from universities, professional schools, elementary schools, middle schools and kindergartens are expected to be placed under investigation.

Unregistered Lodging in Border Areas to Be Punished Even for Relatives
As the Duman River has frozen, the police department along the national border in North Hamgyong Province is making an all-out effort to prevent people from crossing the border. The number of guards at the second line patrol along the border has doubled and the patrol system has been intensified. The department thoroughly inspects unregistered lodgers because many people crossed the border with their families. Residents cannot avoid punishment if visitors from other areas or even relatives are reported as unregistered lodgers. If residents allow visitors from other areas to stay illegally, they are expelled to other areas. If unregistered lodgers are relatives, residents are sent to the Labor Training Center for two to three months. Thus, the police department is educating residents not to provide unregistered lodging.

[Society]
Public Sentiment Worsens Over Market Closure
With the strict banning of general markets and conversions to farmers market, the supply of food and other goods that used to be distributed by train has disappeared. As even the black market has no inventory to sell, conditions have continued to deteriorate. People working in the market are deeply worried about the economy, saying “unless the government distributes daily necessities, many couples will get divorced. If they keep on choking the market economy, then ordinary people will suffer severe hardship.” Workers are also worried about how to make a living during this economic crisis. Old people wish their offspring could secure the food they need to survive. After the currency exchange measure, the people’s lives have not been stabilized resulting in spreading of public sentiment saying “The national measure (Currency exchange measure) is not fair.” To make situation worse, the market trade was banned and female breadwinners’ complaints increased. People who have received some money since the currency reevaluation and who therefore supported the change in denomination say the revaluation is now pointless because of inflation and market closure.

[Women/Children/Education]
University Faculty Used Students for Currency Exchange
It has come to light that the faculty members of Kim-Jung-Sook University of Hoeryung city in Northern Hamgyung have been forcing students to exchange notes in the old denomination into the new currency on behalf of themselves. In the beginning, the authorities exchanged thirty thousand won of the old currency for three hundred won of the newly distributed currency. In the case of students who have been discharged from the army, they have been receiving less and less money from their families. Due to a lack of food in the school cafeteria, students have had to buy food using credit at nearby Nammun Dong. Sixty percent of students have credit debt, let alone the three hundred won they received during the currency exchange. Responding to the financial difficulties of their students, the school faculty distributed thirty thousand won to each of them, requiring that the students exchanged the currency. Those faculty members who seek to exchange more than the thirty thousand won maximum announced by the state typically use a proxy and then divide the new currency evenly. In the case of students, students received only ten won in compensation for their service. The people exclaimed, “The currency exchange system only benefits faculty members.”

[Accidents]
Son Commits Suicide after Being Scolded by Father for Ice (amphetamine) Use
On January 5th, in Hoeryong City in North Hamgyong Province, fifth-grade student at Osan Middle School (equivalent of High School) Jungsu Kim committed suicide after being punished by his father who found out that his son used ‘ice’ (amphetamine). In the morning of the suicide, his father hit Kim and scolded him saying, “You are supposed to study but you did ice instead!” Then the son said with his all fury, “It is no use studying. You can do anything if your parents have money power in this society. You are daily laborer so I can only become a laborer!” His father was angry with his son because the younger Kim had stolen money from his home and bought drugs, even though the currency redenomination had reduced them to poverty. The father said in anger, “Are you still going to do ice? What does a junkie have to live for? Go and die. At least do that for our family.” The son, upset at being scolded, went out to buy and use as much medicine as he could find. After abusing the medicine, the son fell into a coma. He was moved to a hospital immediately, but due to the side effects of the medicine, he was unable to breath and passed away. The People’s Safety Bureau investigated the situation and decided to punish the boy’s homeroom teacher and his parents. The authorities are likely to punish them quite severely holding accountable for failed moral education because drug abuse and suicide problems among students began to spread in the society.

Monday, January 25, 2010

North Korea Today No. 327 Special Edition January 2010

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[Hot Topics]
H1N1 Flu Affected Apartment Complex Closed up in Hamheung
Emergency Disease Prevention Command Post of Hamheung City, South Hamgyong Province is in the process of quarantining and blocking H1N1 breakout areas including Sungchun River District. When confirmed positive of infection, quarantine measure is put in place whether it is the family of an official or a laborer. When there is a new H1N1 patient in apartment complexes, a guard stands at the entrance to stop the patient from going out. The flu broke out in densely populated residential areas including 24th and 29th units in Shinheung 1 dong, Sungchun River District, and the apartment complexes there sealed the entrances. They closed up the entrance doors of the four-story building with boards. It was intended to prohibit people inside from going out.

Locked up all of a sudden, the households inside the blocked buildings are experiencing difficulties in living, running out of basic commodities and food. Particularly those residents who made daily living by trading are severely suffering. As such, City People’s Assembly ordered Local Grain Policy Enterprise to secure food and the basic food factory to provide doenjang (fermented soybean paste), ganjang (soy sauce) and at least 3 lumps of anthracite every day for cooking and heating.

Since the residents on the second and fourth floor cannot reach the ground floor, they are obtaining commodities by sending down burlap bags or buckets tied to a rope. Food and products are put on the ground floor and the residents pull the rope and unload them on the second floor. In addition, authorities specially made called ‘6 mansun’ electricity available for the households using electric rice cooker and electric cooker.

Authorities expected that blocking outside contact would stop spreading of the flu virus but the result was different. Although the minimum amount of food is being provided, larger families still fall short of food and residents get out from the building somehow. Citing that those incidents interrupt curtailing the flu epidemic, Hamheung City authorities are concentrating on more strict control on entering and exiting the buildings by mobilizing emergency disease prevention officials, police officers and security officers. Hygiene and Disease Prevention office seems to be at a loss to observe more flu infection occurring than expected despite the quarantine of whole apartment complexes. The most suffered are the residents quarantined without due dates. Residents deplores, “I have already been suffering because of the government measure (currency revaluation), and now we are stranded because of the infectious disease. What a terrible life!”

Health Authorities Pass out Folklore Remedy Material
South Hamgyong Province Emergency Disease Prevention Committee is passing out folklore remedy material to Neighborhood Units due to lack of medicine for H1N1 flu. It contains explanations about flu symptoms, ask people to notify doctor if such symptoms occur, get a check up, and set up treatment plans. In addition, it warns not to use Chinese medicine distributed in the market and domestically produced medicine at any circumstance. Currently, death caused by H1N1 flu continues to occur, yet domestically developed vaccine is being used due to lack of medicine. Since January 4 they are distributing domestically produced flu vaccine injections in the areas where H1N1 flu broke out. However, it is reported to have no effect on H1N1 although it is effective with regular flu. In addition, there are reports of instances where some of the medical staff not responding to the resident’s request for check up with a description of the symptoms. The health authorities are mobilizing the medical students to the command post of emergency disease prevention in order to reinforce the medical staff.

Hamheung, Restaurant Chain Network Temporarily Closed for H1N1
Restaurants in Hamheung South Hamgyong Province that belong to Social Restaurant Chain Network are temporarily closed. However, those with good sanitary equipment and clean condition are still allowed to operate. Officials from the Health Department conduct sanitary inspections, but bribery is exchanged in the process. The certificate of inspection can be obtained through bribery regardless of sanitary conditions. Contrary to the initial purpose of preventing H1N1 it is being abused for personal monetary gains for some corrupt officials.

School Starts on Jan. 20 Nationwide
The education authorities, which had decided to have an early winter vacation due to the outbreak of H1N1 flu, decided to start classes on January 20 reasoning that the epidemic subsides. The decision was based on the judgment that flu medications have been provided to some areas and the epidemic would not spread any more. Meanwhile, clinics and hospitals are providing antibiotic medicines to patients who are diagnosed with the flu.

Friday, January 22, 2010

North Korea Today No. 326 Hot Topics, Food & Editorial January 2010

Rice Price Hits 240 Won in Sinuiju a Week after Temporary Low Price at 90 Won
A week ago, the police authorities in Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province handed over 13 tons of imported rice to Chaeha distribution agency. The distribution agency sold the rice for 70 won per kg. The agency was swarmed by people who came to buy the rice. On the same day, rice price also dropped to as low as 90 won per kg at the market. Residents were very pleased and said, “Finally, the rice price may become stabilized.” However, on the very next day, rice sale was suspended at the distribution agency and market, and the person in charge of the agency was arrested. Somebody reported that the distribution agency price was higher than the government-set price of 44 won. Rice price began to jump immediately. After a week, the price reached as high as 240 won per kg as of January 17.

Exchange Rate Jumped from 150 Won to 300 Won per Dollar in a Week in Sinuiju
While the overall prices continue to rise sharply, exchange rate is also increasing significantly. By early January, exchange rate stayed at 3,000 won per 100 dollars. As prices soared daily due to a series of market contraction measures, however, value of 100 dollars also jumped from 15,000 won on the 12th to 30,000 won on the 17th, doubling the rate in less than a week. The price is more than tenfold of 3,000 won, the government set rate on December 28. Residents of Sinuiju are saying that “After the currency exchange till today, the more (the government) controls, the higher foreign currency price rises,” and that the sharp rise in foreign currency exchange rate is due to the control measure of the authorities.

One Kg of Corn for 24 Won, January Distribution of S. and N. Hamgyong Province
In South and North Hamgyong Province, corn is being provided at 24 won per kg as January distribution. Heavy snow in this winter soaked into threshed corn, moistening it with 23% of water content. Last December, the government distributed soybean for 45 won per kg, while the market price was lower at 25 won per kg. As such, the residents bought soybean at markets instead of distribution agency. However, as the New Year begins, the market price rose sharply and soybean is now sold at 90 won per kg as of January 15, and hardly anyone buys soybean.

[Editorial]
Food and Coal Urgently Needed for People
We have expressed our concerns repeatedly about the new economic measures, citing that skyrocketing prices would be unavoidable unless the government can provide a large-scale supply of food and necessities. We also suggested that people should be allowed to do trading freely to make living if the government is unable to supply enough food and necessities. Nevertheless, the North Korean government is implementing a series of new economic measures without any remedies for the problems. As a result, the instability of livelihood and the suffering of people are reaching critical levels.
The skyrocketing of rice price from 30-40 won to 60 won in new currency with the beginning of the New Year was only a precursor of sufferings for people. Since then the food price went up by the hour. The shock of skyrocketing rice price reaching 100 won turned into disbelief when it went through the ceiling and reached 200 won. The price dropped a few times when the police responded with severe crackdowns only to go up again shortly. At this point no one is daring to make predictions about how high the price can reach. After the 15th the rice price reached 240 won in Chungjin and Sinuiju, 270 won in Eunduk, and finally reached 300 won in Pyungsung. People can only be gripped by fear as they watch the price going up.
Market contraction has reached an extreme level with the conversion of general markets to farmers market, dissolution of trading companies, followed by a ban on the use of foreign currency for domestic transactions. Prices can only skyrocket because goods are in shortage and not distributed freely. The amount of goods transported by railway has dropped by 20 percent compared to last year. Transportation of goods by railway has become more difficult with a stiff decline in the number of railway passengers. At this point, we can only question the purpose of new economic management measures once again.
The North Korean authorities declared through a series of public lectures that the purpose of new economic measures is to raise the living standards of people. However, there are many controversies over how to achieve that. That is because people’s livelihood is getting worse after the new economic measures. What is urgently needed now are food and coals for heating. A warm bowl of rice and coals for heating are the most basic necessities for people who are suffering from unprecedented cold winter weather. The North Korean authorities should make every effort to ensure food and heating for people at least. Accepting South Korean government’s offer of ten thousand tons of corn was a wise decision. However, continuing the stand-off against South Korea over political dominance is undesirable. What is needed is to actively engage in negotiations in order to obtain a large-scale humanitarian aid. The urgent problems of food and heating should be resolved and misguided policies should be discarded.
Perhaps it is too early to render a judgment on the effectiveness of the new economic policies. However, it is clear that closing of general markets is an anachronism and against the wishes of the people. The plan for developing Rasun special district as the hub for distribution of goods is something that requires a long-term planning. The market operation should be allowed to continue at least until the distribution of goods become stabilized. Skyrocketing of prices would not stop unless goods are distributed freely. We urge the North Korean government to reconsider.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

North Korea Today No. 325 Full Version January 2010

Sinuiju Begins to Provide Flu Treatment

Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province has begun to provide flu treatment from December 25, 2009. Doctors are offering tablets to those who had a contact with the H1N1 flu patients while giving injection to or prescribing medicine for the patients. However, the health authorities do not relax their attention because the number of the patients has not decreased. Recently, four patients with H1N1 flu have died in Sinuiju People's Hospital. In particular, the death rate of children and those who are over late fifties is high. A physician said "Children and seniors cannot recover from the flu due to their physical weakness and lack of immunity. They suffer from the illness and die. Even though we received medicine from the UN, it is still lacking. It is difficult to purchase medicine on the market due to the extremely high price."

Central Party Issued the Third Order with Criticism about “Taking Measures for H1N1.”
H1N1 is gradually spreading from North Pyongan Province to southern areas. According to the Health Department officials, more patients have been reported in inner land areas such as North and South Hwanghae Provinces than in northern areas. H1N1 is known as a new type of flu to North Koreans, and its spreading does not seem to decrease. Accordingly, last December 30, the officials of the Health Department and the Emergency Disease Control Center held a meeting “to prevent and eradicate H1N1 from North Korea.” For the first time this year, the Central Party sent the Health Department officials an order with criticism about “preparing definitive measures to treat H1H1 patients.” Two orders with criticism were already issued in December last year and this is the third.

Families Concerned about Ban on Family Visits at the Re-education Center
The Re-education Center in South Pyongan Province prohibited family visits in an effort to control the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus. People who have families in the Re-education and Labor Training Centers are concerned that their loved ones may suffer from hunger and severe weather due to inadequate provisions available at these centers. Families will do anything to supply their relatives with the necessities needed to survive; however, even before the prohibition, families were prohibited from directly delivering the goods to their kin at these centers and consequently, were not able to confirm whether the supplies have been properly delivered. “[People in the centers] would die from starvation and the cold before dying from H1N1,” which is a concern that resonated with many families with relatives at these centers. Meanwhile, as H1N1 continued to spread, the levels of restriction also began to increase. As the elderly became among the most affected by the flu virus, some asylums for the aged in South Pyongan Province blocked entrances and strictly regulated the admission of people into the center. Healthy people among the staffs were chosen to take care of the old. A complete ban on visitation is in effect at re-education centers in South Pyongan Province.

[Women/Children/Education]
First Wave of Food and School Supplies Distribution to Orphanages and other Institutions in North Hamgyong Province
With the currency reform, the North Korean government distributed food, daily necessities, and school supplies to nursing homes, stepmother’s institutions, and orphanages. Last December 28, before New Year’s Day, North Hamgyong Province assigned the officials of the Commerce Management and receiving staff to begin distributing the items. One ton of imported rice was originally planned to be sent to Wonsan-ri nursing home in Hoeryong, but only 400kg of rice was sent. Only 15 blankets out of originally assigned 30 blankets, 15 beds out of 30, and 10 individual eating tables out of 40 were distributed as well. Winter boots, warm underclothes, and school supplies for elementary school children in the Jongsung Labor District at Onsung County were provided. The same amount of items that Jongsung elementary school received was also sent to Gilju elementary school.

320 Admitted to School of Politics at Provincial People’s Police Bureau in the North Hamgyong Province
On September 15th 2009, 450 applicants, including jail guards and college graduates, took the entrance exam for School of Politics to be a police officer. There are 12 subject areas in the exam in total, including Kim Il-sung’s and Kim Jong-il’s rojak (editorials written by Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il), math and physics. Of the 450 who took the exam, 320 applicants passed. Until 2003, the school ran a thorough background check on three generations of family members before granting final admission. However, since 2004, the applicants can be admitted even if they do not have good background so long as they have money. Many of them give 900,000 won (old currency) in bribe money, which they can make within a year if they become police officers by taking bribes from ordinary people. In September, many students who were not qualified borrowed money from lenders or sold their homes to pay the bribery. One school official said about 30 percent of the students is admitted through bribery.

[Accidents]
Railroad Train Accident in Baekam County
In Baekam County of Ryanggang Province, 4 out of 12 workers died at the scene at a logging yard in Limsan at a mining timber company while transporting a railway sleeper. A loop attached to the train broke causing two steam trains loaded with timber fell down, killing 4 workers and seriously injuring 5 workers. These steam trains were old and worn out because they had been built during the 1940’s when Korea was occupied by Japan. Even before this accident, 5 to 8 people were killed or injured annually from traveling into the rural farming village on these trains.

Friday, January 15, 2010

North Korea Today No. 325 Hot Topics and Food January 2010

[“Good Friends” aims to help the North Korean people from a humanistic point of view and publishes “North Korea Today” describing the way the North Korean people live as accurately as possible. We at Good Friends also hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.]
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[Hot Topics No. 325]
Starting January 14, Only Farmers Markets are Allowed
’40-Day Battle’ Planned to Crack Down on Complaints about Market Closure
Police Authorities Monitor Illegal Transaction of Trading Companies
Strong Crackdown on Price Begins in Chungjin, Afternoon of Jan. 8

[Food]
Choosang Collective Farm, Low Grain Production for 3 Consecutive Years
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[Hot Topics]
Starting January 14, Only Farmers Markets are Allowed
The North Korean cabinet made announcements to each ministry, province, city, and county party that starting from January 14, market management and operation will be in the form of farmer’s market which opens every 10 days. This is in compliance with the Central Party’s policy regarding “Management and Operation of Farmer’s Market.” As such, the general markets in major cities throughout the county will be open until the 13th. Once the markets switch over to farmer’s market, only agricultural goods and farm products will be allowed for trading. The authorities made it clear that “No Chinese products and domestic industrial goods can be traded” and handed down the rules and regulations of market management and operation and the specifics of agricultural goods that can be traded to each province. The merchants who sell industrial goods and Chinese products are told to sell their merchandise until the 13th and the goods they could not sell by that day should be turned over to state-run stores at the government-set price.

'40-Day Battle' Planned to Crack Down on Complaints about Market Closure
Following the notice of farmer’s market only policy effective on the 14th, city and county party officials decided to visit district administration offices and concentrate on education projects including lecture and commentary in order to silence complaints and disagreement about the government’s policy implementation efforts. Meanwhile, the police authorities expected that after the market operation is banned, unorganized commercial activities in densely populated areas, so-called ‘grasshopper trading’ (merchants moving around to escape crackdown) and ‘alley trading’ (selling goods in the alley), will flourish. The police thus decided to strengthen enforcement on them. They have decided to launch “40-Day Battle by selecting enforcement officers from relevant police stations, police substations and security officers to crackdown and control stalls, private restaurants, and merchants trading without government permissions.”

The Cabinet ordered the police authorities to launch a full mobilization of enforcement officials in order to prevent chaos as much as possible, as they predicted that “suspension of market management may cause a temporary hardship on the residents’ life”. It was ordered, “If a merchant does not comply with the enforcement officer’s demand and resist or react, the merchant will be fined according to the kinds of traded product and will receive a police report, no matter how small the incident may be.” Any forceful measure can be applied in order to implement the policy, they said. Meanwhile, the authorities stressed in a lecture for residents, “The existing market management formed by residents hinders our way of socialism and development to pave the way to the Strong and Prosperous Nation. It is also an act of corruption and distortion. All the residents need to understand this clearly and mobilize themselves to execute the new market management.”

Police Authorities Monitor Illegal Transaction of Trading Companies
As a way of banning general markets, the police authorities began to monitor whether trading companies are involved in illegal transactions beginning in the morning of January 9. In case an illegal transaction, such as selling or handing over products that were received from private wholesalers, is uncovered, a severe punishment will be imposed, including closing down of sales offices of the trading company. In addition, individual merchant’s use of cars registered as government vehicle as a commercial vehicle will be strictly prohibited. In fact, it is quite common that individuals borrow a public enterprise’s name to buy cars because an individual is not allowed to own a car. Hence, situations will occur where those who actually paid for the cars are banned from using them. Authorities are expecting that forbidding commercial activities of individual merchants this way will lead to a halt in unregulated trading activities of the residents. However, it is likely that the resistance of the residents will be substantial. Reflecting the residents’ discontent, a wholesale merchant in Pyongsung city said, “People have a great deal of opinions about the government policies. They are complaining that the government devises measures without considering the people’s convenience. The government is a mere spectator for people’s suffering, no matter how bad their living conditions become.”

Strong Crackdown on Price Begins in Chungjin, Afternoon of Jan. 8
Once at the peak of 200 won, the rice price seems to have hit the ceiling due to the strong crackdown of the authorities. In Chungjin, North Hamgyong Province, police officers began crackdown by storming to markets and confiscating food in the afternoon of January 3. Fifty to 100 Kg of rice was confiscated from 5 merchants who were selling food at a market in Pohang district. Merchants at the scene reported, “The police officers were very brutal and violent, making everyone scared.” After the crackdown swept the markets, the price of 1 Kg of rice fell from 100 won to 80 won and to 70 won again, and it is around 60 won as of January 10. As a means to crack down skyrocketing prices, Chupyung market in Hamheung, South Hamgyong Province and Soonchun market in South Pyongan Province did not allow food merchants to enter the market at all, beginning in the afternoon of January 9. As a result, food stands in Hamheung city and Soonchun market were not operated on that day. Residents who have not been able to trade after the currency revaluation received salaries and 500 won relief money, but an increasing number of households are using up their money due to skyrocketing prices.

[Food]
Choosang Collective Farm, Low Grain Production for 3 Consecutive Years
Grain production has been low for 3 consecutive years in Choosang Collective Farm in Hamju County, South Hamgyong Province. As one of the on-site guidance instruction* units of late Premier Kim Il-sung, the farm receives special attention in Hamjubul. However, in the past few years, the Province Farm Management Committee and the County Party has evaluated that “The production performance turned poor because they lack a sense of ownership.” Generally, Hamjubul has had a good supply of fertilizers from Heungnam fertilizer factory, but Choosang Collective Farm did not receive as much fertilizer compared to the previous years. As such, the farm officials had to endeavor to secure Heukbosan fertilizer, following the policy of self-supported farming. However, the quality of Heukbosan fertilizer did not reach the standard, and the farm was dishonored by having the lowest grain yield among the on-site guidance instruction units. Meanwhile, to improve lowered soil productivity due to acidification, the work unit 1, 4, 5, 7, 9 and Farm Youth Groups worked hard on plowing from January to March. They also dug out and scattered peats to the farmland.

In May and June, an increasing number of famers were absent due to the shortage of grains. Overall, more than 5 to 6 households per work unit were absent. They suffered perpetually from starvation, eating grass meal or grass porridge with wild green picked from mountains, and made living by selling medicinal herb such as balloon flower roots, and various types of herbs. It was not until late June that they harvested barley and received 10 days’ worth of food. The officials gave 20 days’ worth of food to the household that completely ran out of food, which would be deducted from fall food distribution because they reasoned that providing the laborers with some food and make them work during the 150-Day Battle would be better than leaving them starved and absent from work.

Since the completion of harvest on October 28, each work unit was working on corn and rice threshing. Like other farms, Choosang Cooperative Farm increased security to prevent grain theft and stealing of grains by farmers. However, the thrashing work did not go smoothly. The threshing machine broke down repeatedly because each work unit kept the machines running 3-4 hours per shift without a pause. Technical Instructors and the engineers of the mechanization unit tried to repair the broken part, but they had difficulties with money for parts. As a result, they sold grains to raise the money for parts, but this was the problem. The senior members of the Provincial agricultural management committee of South Hamgyong Province who came to inspect the threshing work harshly criticized the act and dismissed the chief engineer.

The assessment of the grain harvest after threshing showed 3 to 3.5 tons produced per Jungbo (2.45 acres). Last year, at least 4 to 5 tons of corn per Jungbo was harvested. The result is quite disappointing considering the unprecedented amount of labor mobilization poured into 150-Day Battle followed by 100-Day Battle. Officials are determined to make the food distribution strictly performance-based, criticizing that the farmers must have been negligent of their duties and slacking. In November, corn was first distributed. After the currency revaluation on November 30, laborers who worked full-time without absence received 15,000 won of cash distribution.

*A propaganda material which claims that the Great Leader, Kim Il-sung gave instructions to North Korean people on how to do perform various tasks. Kim Il-sung’s instructions define North Korean people’s morality and rules and being used as basis for all plans.