North Korea Today No. 147

Research Institute for North Korean Society
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

North Korea Today 147th Edition June 2008

“Research Institute for North Korean Society of Good Friends, in order to bring news of the food crisis in North Korea more accurately and quickly, will increase its e-newsletter frequency to more than one issue per week. As such, the release dates might shift. Thank you for your understanding and attention to this looming crisis. We at Good Friends hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.”

[Special Report 2] Increasingly Open and Candid Lectures on Agriculture for the Officials and the Public

In April 2008, the North Korean government issued a report nationwide on the farming conditions of the country.

“the government already anticipated that people would die from starvation in the spring, and that this lecture was devised in order to enhance the internal congruency”.

The report contains candid and open references to the current situation’s unprecedented nature. The ‘North Korea TODAY’ will present the government report entitled “Everyone Needs to Work Together to Ensure a Good Harvest” in the next five issues.

[Special Report]
Introduction of North Korea ’s Nationwide Report-"Let's Unify In Fighting For Better Harvest This Year"
Only Residents Are Suffering Over the Farming Material Secure Project
South’s Support of 300,000 MT Are Equal to Support of 600,000-700,000 MT

City of Hoeryong Hit by a Whirlwind of Triple-Layered Investigations
New Policy Set After the Site Visit To Heungnam Fertilizer Plant
Severe Damage on Corn from Cold Weather in Saebyul County
Rising Oil Prices Keep Fishing Boats at Harbors
Sinuiju, Having Huge Difficulty Getting Even Undesirable Jobs
Residents of Pihyeon County , Earning Their Living through Selling Candles

[Special Report] Introduction of North Korea’s Nationwide Report Two : “Let’s Unify In Fighting For Better Harvest This Year.”
There is an old saying that one spring day determines the whole year’s harvest. It means that every one day in the spring is important for the entire year’s harvest. Therefore, all the workers have to be unified with the desire to be responsible and fruitful.

In order to achieve this:
Subject everything to farming and secure farming materials first and foremost. Considering the economic situation in this country, we have many in need. Nonetheless, the securing of farming materials can not be neglected. Actually, it is the first time that collective farm are short of farming materials by such a large amount. If this pace goes on, it will cause an incredibly poor harvest. However, some workers and farmers are only thinking of their own interests or preservation of their workplace and so men do not even try to secure farming materials which are supposed to be secured. (Real Examples Are Needed)

It is impossible to come up with something helpful to farmers while using up ours. Every worker has to get involved in a fight for securing farming materials timely. This fight should be organized because it is under our national plan. Particularly fertilizer, vinyl sheet, oil, minerals, agricultural chemicals, and other farming materials, and electricity should be put aside in advance. At the same time, please visit every collective farm from time to time and see what obstacles they face in this fight. Don’t help collective farm just technically, but help them practically using all the possible means out there. Next, labor for farming should be facilitated, too. Ordinary farm workers are not enough to prepare the entire nation’s food. Thus, everybody should help farmers mentally and physically. We should especially put every effort in Monaegi (모내기; transplanting rice seedlings), transplanting young corn plant , and wheat and rye harvest which are supposed to be done in the spring. The past years’ farming support projects have contributed to the increase of harvest production. (Real Examples Needed)

However, there were still some people who were reluctant to participate in this project. (Real Examples Needed)

This should not happen again this year again. Workers should not idle or play or drink while they were helping farmers, nor should they ask for some rewards from farmers over their labor. (Real Examples Needed)

[Special Report] Only Residents Are Suffering Over the Farming Material Secure Project
To solve the food crisis, the Party has taken the first step to securing farming materials first and foremost. They said that even if our economy is bad, there is to productively farm without securing farming materials first. They added that this year, they had the biggest shortage of farming materials in history, and without correcting this, the harvest would be disastrous. Even though they didn’t explain what the outcome would be, they expressed it would be very dangerous.

It was last March when the North and South relationship went dramatically bad, and it was last April when the lecture materials came out. At that time, the North already abandoned any hope that President Lee would provide fertilizers. With no expectation for domestic fertilizer production, a price increase in foreign fertilizers, and with no where to import fertilizer from, it was only natural that the North got desperate. Not only fertilizer, but vinyl sheet, oil, tire, agricultural chemicals and other farming materials are all in serious need.

It is good to disclose the shortage honestly, but the solution is to urge residents. The Party is not hesitant to order people to get farming materials on their own. They ordered people to do something that the government can’t do. They even advised them to do it wholeheartedly, and not to idly wait. There is no execution of governmental duty, but only imposition of duties on people.

Last May, in North Pyongan, the Party ordered a contribution of 200 kg of human excrement per each person. Residents were even joking about this order, “If one person eats 150 g a meal, which is 164 kg per year, how can a person make 200 kg out of 164 kg?” This reflects the painful reality of people facing the Party’s order to secure fertilizer.

[Speical Report] South’s Support of 300,000 MT Are Equal to Support of 600,000-700,000 MT
One North Korean defector said that the South’s fertilizer support comprised huge portion of the entire fertilizer need in the North: “In the North, fertilizer factories have shut down after the Third 7 Year Plan. Since then, the South provided 300,000 MT of fertilizer every year, but in terms of its ingredients, it equals 600,000-700,000 MT. The effective ingredients in fertilizer are up to 40% in case of South fertilizer, compared to 15% of North fertilizer. The lecture materials said if the situation went on, the outcome would be disastrous. I have never seen this kind of serious expression from the lecture materials. This is the first time to use that expression. It means those 300,000 MT from the South was so important to the North in the past. It was an absolute dependency of the North on the South fertilizer.”

City of Hoeryong Hit by a Whirlwind of Triple-Layered Investigations

Like Sinuiju, city of Hoeryong has been hit by a whirlwind of investigations. The investigations from City or County are being conducted against anti-socialist activities that may have infiltrated the cities along the national border. The investigations are centered on the illegal crossing of the border, and especially on the illegal smuggling and peddling of narcotics such as ‘ice.’ The second wave of investigators from the National Security Agency(국가보위부) are concentrating their resources on those residents who try to send money home after illegally crossing the border into China, those who transport the money from China to the residents in North Korea, and those families who own cell phones. In addition, the Inspection Patrols investigating the anti-socialist activities at the Central Party basically target families who appear to live in relative luxury even though they do not have any visible sources of business income. The residents caught in the tight net of investigations cannot afford to display negative emotions and it is generally tough for them.

New Policy Set After the Site Visit To Heungnam Fertilizer Plant
On June 4, 2008, Chairman Kim Jong-Il of the National Defense Committee set a new policy after a site visit to the Heungnam fertilizer plant. He declared, “We need more fertilizer for this year’s successful farming. We have to secure fertilizer production and send it to all the farms in the nation. We need to cover every inch of the farms with the fertilizer and we should not be late in laying it on the fields. In order to secure transportation of the fertilizer, the rail system should be enhanced.” A policy was ordered to set up new repair procedures for freight cars and to enhance the means of transportation and production of fertilizer.

Severe Damage on Corn from Cold Weather in Saebyul County
The unusual low temperatures in North Hamgyong Province, Ryanggang Province, and North Pyongan Province has caused serious cold-weather damage to corn crop. On May 3, approximately 30 Jungbo (approximately 73.5 acres) of corn per farm in Saebyul County of North Hamgyong Province was destroyed due to frost and strong winds. Some farms plowed up the corn fields damaged from the cold weather and have planted beans instead. On the other hand, the leading secretary of Saebyul County, indicating that real labor hours are too short under the general labor mobilization, expanded the hours of work. Originally, supportive farm work began at 8:30 AM and ended around 3:00 PM, giving laborers time from 4:00 to 6:00 to run their own businesses. However, the shortening of personal hours to conduct their own business has made it more difficult for workers to earn even one day’s living.

Rising Oil Prices Keep Fishing Boats at Harbors
The number of fishing boats not going out to sea is increasing in the eastern coast areas due to the sharp increase in oil prices. A small fishing boat, like a barge, that does not need oil, can manage to go take fishermen out to sea. However, bigger fishing boats are being kept stationary in the harbor due to the increasing oil prices. Many companies purchased oil with borrowed money and are subsequently millions of won in debt. Fishermen can catch small octopuses during the month of July, the official octopus season, which allows them to pay the debt and provide food. However, the rising oil prices, on top of increasing food prices, does not fare well for fishermen. They are full of worries about how they can pay back their increasing debt even with their catches.

Sinuiju, Having Huge Difficulty Getting Even Undesirable Jobs
It is now even extremely difficult to get a job that requires the loading and unloading of freight in warehouses in Sinuiju. For example, young people in their twenties or thirties try their best to get a job like this with an advance payment of 100,000 won. They get paid 3,000 to 4,000 won per ton when they load goods, whereas 2,000 won per ton when they unload. Although the work is hard and intense, the unemployed young people are drawn to these jobs out of desperation. The parking area, the front yard of a passenger transport company, is crowded with such people as seeking jobs.

Residents of Pihyeon County, Earning Their Living through Selling Candles
Bonghwa chemical factory is located at the Baekmaro-dongjagoo(백마루동자구) in Pihyeon County. Paraffin comes out after liquefied gas, benzene, kerosene, and gasoline are produced through imports of crude oil. This year the price of paraffin, which sold for 20,000 won per ton last year, sharply increased because of the production decrease. Residents around these regions sell candles by stealing paraffin and colluding with the State Security Department. The high demand for candles resulted from the deteriorated electric situation and makes the candle business very profitable. For example, in Sinuiju, a candle with a thickness of ball-point pen is sold for 50 won, but it burns out in less than an hour. The candles are delivered almost nationwide after being packed within paper boxes. In Wonsan, these candles are sold for 70 to 80 won.

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North Korea Today No. 146

Research Institute for North Korean Society
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

North Korea Today 146th Edition June 2008

“Research Institute for North Korean Society of Good Friends, in order to bring news of the food crisis in North Korea more accurately and quickly, will increase its e-newsletter frequency to more than one issue per week. As such, the release dates might shift. Thank you for your understanding and attention to this looming crisis. We at Good Friends hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.”

[Special Report 1] Increasingly Open and Candid Lectures on Agriculture for the Officials and the Public

In April 2008, the North Korean government issued a report nationwide on the farming conditions of the country. One official said that he received a tremendous shock when he saw the report for the first time. According to the official, although many government reports have been issued in North Korea since the founding of the country, there has been no reports as open and candid as this one. The official said that he believed the Central Department of Propaganda and Agitation (중앙선전선동부) was the agency that issued the report, and went on to say that he was able to surmise just how serious the current conditions are after reading the report. He went on to say that the report shows that

“the government already anticipated that people would die from starvation in the spring, and that this lecture was devised in order to enhance the internal congruency”.

The report contains candid and open references to the current situation’s unprecedented nature. The ‘North Korea TODAY’ will present the government report entitled “Everyone Needs to Work Together to Ensure a Good Harvest” in the next five issues.

[Special Report]
Introduction of North Korea’s Nationwide Report - “Everyone Needs to Work Together in Order to Ensure a Good Harvest”
Causes of Farming Crisis, Large Scale Flooding and US, South Korea’s Anti DPRK Actions

An Elderly Resident laments of Sinuiju, “What Happened to the Old Fame?”
Prolonged Weakening of Sinuiju’s Economy
Hamheung City Pharmacy College Caught Producing “Ice”
Six Chungjin residents were tried for belonging to Anti-Socialist Conscience groups
Several munitions workers in Eunduk County fled after selling telephone line that had been illegally cut

[Special Report] Introduction of North Korea’s Nationwide Report - “Everyone Needs to Work Together in Order to Ensure a Good Harvest”
The Great Leader and Comrade Kim Jong-il has said the following:

"We must focus our efforts on farming to increase grain production and to decisively solve our food shortage problems."

This year, the party has put all the efforts to appeal for celebrating the great victory of the 60th anniversary of our republic. Of these issues, the most critical is to focus our efforts on farming and to solve our food shortage and food supply problem. Solving today’s food problem is to protect and sustain our way of Socialism and raising the standard of living for our people. As you all are certain to know, the important grain production regions of our country suffered extensive damage from flooding and consequently, our food situation has become difficult. However, in addition to this, our enemies such as US and South Koreans are heated up with defaming the republic and are trying to exacerbate our food problems through any methods available.

This clearly shows that we would need to prove that we could sustain our livelihood by harvesting the good production would mean to establish our nation. In a word, the answer to many of our questions is connected to how our farms perform this year and there is currently no problem more important than that of how to solve our food production and food supply problems.

The solution to our food problems, which are causing us so much anxiety, lies in only one avenue and that is to secure our food supplies by farming well and increasing grain production with our hands and our collective strength. The workers and laborers of our country know just how important our farms are this year for our country, and everyone must do his or her part to take responsibility and increase grain production. With the spring harvest underway right now, all citizens and people who need to eat, not just farmers, need to contribute their efforts and find work to increase agricultural output. The spring harvest is in its first half right now, but how we apply our efforts right now will greatly influence how over half of our year’s production will end up.

[Special Report] Causes of Farming Crisis, Large Scale Flooding and US, South Korea’s Anti DPRK Actions
The writings above come from the introduction to the nationwide report that was released. The North Korean government says that the entire country must focus its efforts on farming to increase grain production in order to “decisively” solve the food shortage problem, and says that solving the “food problem,” and the “food supply problem”. It sees protection and sustaining the ‘Our-Way of Communism 우리식사회주의 is a critical issue. It goes on to say that “there is no issue more important than the current food problems,” and says many times that resolving the food problems as an issue that would establish the strong nation and heightens the pride as a nation. An important point to note is that expressions such as these have never been used before in North Korea’s history. This is the first time to express that the food problem was raised as the core issue to build the nation.

The introduction reveals what the causes of the serious food situation are. First, the extensive flooding that destroyed much of the grain production regions of North Korea, and second, ‘US and South Korea’s anti- DPRK action to isolate the DPRK. The claim made by North Korea refer to the new Lee Myung-Bak administration’s refusal to provide food aid and fertilizer to North Korea. In any case, the North Korean government claims that the cause of the country’s current problems lies in the natural disasters that occurred and the actions of foreign nations. No evidence can be found that the government is reflecting on its own actions as a possible source of the current crisis. One official in the Central government중앙당 said, “Though it is true that grain production was greatly impacted by the extensive flooding that occurred, it can’t be said that South Korea’s hostile policies didn’t play a role. No matter what bad events occur, the United States and South Korea are always blamed. This is because this is the most convenient and easiest excuse. Even though internal structural problems played a large role in creating the current situation, it is not possible to say this.”

An Elderly Resident laments of Sinuiju, “What Happened to the Old Fame?”
A senior resident of Sinuiju, Jung Ho-keun (81), who has been living there since the time of the Japanese occupation, says that he is deeply disturbed and saddened by what he sees these days. As he was lighting a cigarette handed to him, he began to reminisce, “During the mid 40’s Sinuiju was a bigger and better city than Dandong in every respect. At the time, the residents from Dandong used to flock to Sinuiju to look around, buy various things, and sample many different local cuisines. Every visitor to our city would compliment on its beauty and cleanliness. After the railroad was built linking the city with the rest of the country, there was such a boom – you could see a new building going up in downtown area almost every day. Back then, there were smiles and rosy cheeks on people’s faces.”

“But, now, you see many high-rises going up over there in Dandong where all the lights make night time a bright noon day. You can see tourists crowding its riverside and various sizes of cruise ships dotting the river. And when it is a holiday, you hear all these fireworks going off and celebratory cannon firings. Even though you are hearing them from a far distance, your heart gets stirred up. But, in Sinuiju, we have nothing going on. Factories are closed, complete darkness rules the night, and of course, neither a cruise ship nor a tourist can be seen around here. With every passing day, the city is becoming a ghost town. And you don’t see any smile on the faces of those few who are out on the streets. We lost the pride of being the biggest city on the Chinese-Korean border. Now, it is just a passage way through which Chinese imports – food and merchandise – make their way into the country. Its fame of the yesteryears is long gone.” The old man let out a deep sigh of sadness as he was wrapping up his reminiscence of the glorious past of his beloved city which, he knew, would not likely come back any time soon. Tearfully he pleaded, “Our leaders have been telling us that we are on the verge of becoming the ‘Powerful Nation’ – but, before we become such nation, we need some help from anybody out there to prevent more people dying in hunger.”

Prolonged Weakening of Sinuiju’s Economy
The weakened state of Sinuiju’s economy is being prolonged because of the tightening of the NK border inspection in recent months. A significantly less volume of imports passing through Sinuiju, which used to be the only gateway for Chinese import goods, is also a result of higher gas prices. Any traders and merchants who used to come to Sinuiju can be seen heading to other border cities such as Rajin and Chungju. They say that a greater number of merchandise are passing through these cities making it easier for them to find and purchase what they can sell.

Hamheung City Pharmacy College Caught Producing “Ice”
At Hamheung City Pharmacy College in South Hamgyong Providence, there was a drug bust. The dean and several staff members had produced “ice (amphetamine)” and distribute it around the border areas through some students recruited from the student body at the school. The police had gathered enough evidence linking the drug to the school before making arrests and opening a hearing on the case on May 23rd. Further investigation revealed that most of the student drug traffickers got involved after they were promised to be favored during the school and placed in a good work place upon their graduation. Eight students and several staffs were tried in a public trial held at the school on the 29th. The government issued a new mandate for the surrounding area, “Cleanse all the rotten residues of Capitalism from the hearts of Hamheung and Heungnam residents so that only the sound of pure stream flowing can be heard; until then, inspect everyone and everything without ceasing!”

Six Chungjin residents were tried for belonging to Anti-Socialist Conscience groups
In early June, security agents arrested 42 Chungjin residents for dealing “ice” and sent 6 of them to a public trial. Furthermore, as they did in Hoeryung, Central Party’s security agents are focusing their investigative efforts toward those families who have luxurious residences and restaurant owners who set up their business in old government buildings.

Several munitions workers in Eunduk County fled after selling telephone line that had been illegally cut
A report comes from Eunduk Country in North Hamgyong Province – five munitions workers had illegally cut about 200 meters of telephone line from one of the lines that link Rajin and the East Sea coast, and sold it in Chungjin. They each made a profit of 150 thousand won from selling most of it. Two of them were caught by the authorities when they tried to sell the remaining 4 kg of the line. Eunduk County police received a warrant for their arrest on June 4th and is pursuing the suspects.

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Appeal Statement from the Press Conference on June 16th

Following is the Appeal from the gathered New Settlers for South Korea to provide immediate Food Aid to North Korea

“We cannot help but feel anxious and fearful that our folks in the North might be driven to mass starvation and death and vaporize into thin air”

[Appeal]

Dear President of the South Korean Government

We, the New Settlers in South Korea, are gathered here together upon receiving the latest report that the severe food crisis currently affecting North Korea is causing numerous human beings to die from starvation everyday.

Yesterday in Sinuiju, a city that borders China, and the day before yesterday in the Yeonbak Plain, which used to be called a granary - many young children, elderly seniors, and even young and strong adults fall victim and died of starvation because of the harsh conditions currently afflicting North Korea.

Some got shot to death for stealing a piece of government property. These individuals were merely trying to escape from the intolerable pangs of hunger they endured everyday. Others were sent to jail under the charge of crossing the border illegally to acquire some food.

We all are in agony when we are forced to hear about these cruel realities of North Korea. Having left our parents, brothers and sisters at home in the North, we cannot sleep at night even though we are well fed here.

We all wish we could send some money to our folks at home in the North if there is a way. However, there is no way to do this, and as a result, we feel utterly helpless and frustrated.

We cannot help but feel anxious and fearful that our folks in the North might be driven to mass starvation and death and vaporize into thin air.

How and why do we have to let them live in agony? There is limit to the amount of suffering and agony that can be endured. That is why we are here appealing to the president and the South Korean government upon which all of our bodies and souls depend.

All of us understand well that the country is currently facing many challenges, both internally and externally. However, we believe that nothing is more precious than human lives. Nobody is free from the cold reality that people who share the same blood as us are dying from starvation.

We recognize that special measures are needed to deal with this situation, and consequently, we appeal for the sound judgment and wise counsel of the respected president and the government to help the people in the North.

We appeal for the following:

First, we recognize that the Kim Jongil regime is responsible for the current food crisis, but all the citizens of this nation should not ignore the current situation when so many North Koreans are dying.

We request that our respected president and the government make their positions and attitudes towards the North clear.

Second, we are in a situation where mass deaths from starvation are anticipated. Therefore, we should set up a system through which food supplies and aid can be provided as soon as possible without any preconditions.

We request that all measure be taken so that 200,000 MT of food can reach North Korea within this month.

We believe that the honorable president and the government respect human rights and human values. We believe our respected president and the government will not hesitant to provide provisions for those dying from starvation. Therefore, we appeal that our respected president and the government respond fully and swiftly to our requests and expectations.

June 16, 2008

The New Settlers Appealing on the 200,000 MT Emergency Food Assistance for the North Korean People

-End of Statement-

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees

If you need further information, please contact

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North Korea Today No. 145

Research Institute for North Korean Society
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

North Korea Today 145th Edition June 2008

“Research Institute for North Korean Society of Good Friends, in order to bring news of the food crisis in North Korea more accurately and quickly, will increase its e-newsletter frequency to more than one issue per week. As such, the release dates might shift. Thank you for your understanding and attention to this looming crisis. We at Good Friends hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.”

Fig1. Areas featured in NKT No. 145

Security Situation in North Hwanghae Province , Getting Worse by the Day
Hamheung City Announces to Execute in Public for Any Case of Prostitution
'Ice', Spreading among Young People Who Have No Hope for the Future
Political Lectures in South Hamgyong Province, including Gowon County in Early June
The Guides to Remove the Reviving Superstitions

Security Situation in North Hwanghae Province , Getting Worse by the Day
The security situation in North Hwanghae Province, particularly in Gaesong City, Jangpoong County(장풍군), and Gaepoong County(개풍군) is getting worse every day. While a growing number of people are dying of hunger due to severe food crisis, a series of crimes, such as theft, robbery, and fraud, is constantly taking place. Under such unstable circumstances, many people feel uneasy. Even during a short time of absence, door locks are broken and valuables and goods are taken. As the housebreaking theft like this frequently happens, people become reluctant and anxious to leave their house. In the meantime, residents of North Hwanghae Province are making efforts to find various ways to protect their houses from the theft, including putting additional locks on doors. What is worse, housebreakers are becoming more audacious; they do not scruple to hurt people beyond simply stealing goods. Especially considering the fact that people who remain at home during a day are mostly children and old people, thieves often use violence to threat them and rob things. As a result, the children and old people who ever faced violent robbers remain traumatized. Due to such a lack of security, it is hard to see people on streets after 9:00pm. Women, in particular, are trying to avoid to come out of house. Shin Chun-kwon, a 47-year old resident of Gaepoong County expressed his concerns on the recent social unrest that "It seems to me that people have nothing but evil. As there is nothing to eat at home, people do anything, including wrongs in order to survive." Meanwhile, People's Safety Agency is making efforts, such as sending out the Mobile troops to insecure areas, to enhance security in the region. Nonetheless, people still live with fear due to continuous theft and robbery.

Hamheung City Announces to Execute in Public for Any Case of Prostitution
As food shortages have worsened in 2008, the number of women who are involved in prostitution has increased. In fact, during the Arduous March, many women had fed their families through prostitution. Those miserable memories from the hardship ten years ago seem to be coming back. Food prices have been skyrocketing since early 2008 and people started starving to death again. Meanwhile, a remarkably increasing number of women are seen at major trains throughout the nation; just like ten years ago, these women are there for prostitution. In the street near the Hamheung Station, too, many women are soliciting. In an effort to crack down on a rapid rise in the number of women involved in prostitution, South Hamgyung Provincial Police Station announced that it will execute a woman who is arrested for any involvement of illegal prostitution in order to set an example for the case. Moreover, it also issued a guide on illegal prostitution to district offices. A strict application of criminal code to a case of "Mompalgae"— literally meaning a woman who sells her body, in other words, prostitutes—is expected.

'Ice', Spreading among Young People Who Have No Hope for the Future
Young people's 'Ice'(amphetamine) use is gradually increasing every day in major cities of the country, such as Hamheung of South Hamgyong Province, Chungjin of North Hamgyong Province, and Pyongsung and Nampo of South Pyongan Province. Authorities announce 'War on Ice' every year and they are indeed tightening the control over 'ice' use. Despite such efforts, the total number of 'ice' users rather continues to grow. Han Jin-ho, a 37-year old resident, mentioned that many young people in big cities are coming to use 'ice' to alleviate distress caused by the disappointment of the hopeless reality. These young people often do not have any strong beliefs or religions to rely on and thus, they easily abandon themselves to despair." Youth unions of each province and city have been making efforts to raise the young people's awareness of the down-side of 'ice.' Youth unions have been providing explanations of the harm of 'ice' and propagating messages stressing on the prohibition of 'ice' use. In addition, they have been also hosting meetings for such purposes. Nevertheless, none of these efforts seem to have an effect on young people.

La Mun-hyuk, a 21-year old resident of Nampo, said that "Most of my friends, including myself, don't have any hope for tomorrow. We can't even dream of making plans for future. If you look at mid-age adults, they are all busy finding a way to survive. Yet, many of them still find it hard to make a living and look exhausted. Moreover, there is no indication that the overall situation of the country will get better. When I think of all these things, I just feel headache. Thus, we [a few friends and I] are just trying to save some money and get together. We're playing some music in a cassette player and dancing all night. While having fun, we spontaneously come to use 'ice.' It's just like a natural consequence. Since we have neither dream nor hope, it is natural for us to come to depend on 'ice.'" He rather asked what they could do except having a little fun with friends.

Political Lectures in South Hamgyong Province, including Gowon County in Early June
The Democratic Women's Union (DWU) of Gowon Country(고원군), South Hamgyong Province had a political lecture under the title, "Let's become an anonymous patriot to support the Party by increasing rice production!" Private meetings to take oath among the members were followed by the lecture. Meanwhile, the lecture entitled "Don't let disloyal people stay in this country by awakening people's revolutionary mind" was delivered in Musan County(무산군), North Hamgyung Province, and a lecture conveying a message that "Mobile phones are the most fearful weapon that would help imperialists liquidate Chosun, a stronghold of Communism" has been taking place in Onsung County. During the lecture on mobile phones, various types of seized phones were shown to the participants and diverse functions of those phones were explained as well. Even lecturers let people hear various sounds of the phones and ask them to report the police whenever they hear such sounds or see others using those mobile phones.

The Guides to Remove the Reviving Superstitions
Authorities had issued a guide to remove superstitious beliefs and acts in last June. And they reissued it again this year. Starting June 1st, authorities have begun to enforce regulations on superstitious activities. When any of such activities is disclosed, legal punishment will be imposed. For an example, 9th, 19th, and 29th of every month are considered auspicious because an evil spirit that causes disturbances, people believe, are not around on these dates. Therefore, many people want to get married on those auspicious dates. If any car with a bride and a groom is found on those three dates, authorities announced, it will be deemed a superstitious act to be controlled.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees
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E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr,

Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)

2008 North Korea Food Crisis-Video file

This video file includes the interviews of the North Korean People on the ground.
Also you can see this video file in the belowed site.
mms://jungto.cachenet.com/jungto/ch4/2008_nk.wmv
mms://jungto.cachenet.com/jungto/ch4/2008_nk_eng.wmv
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=K6JoK0-Yi3E
We also distribute the Powder point report file on the 2008 North Korea Food Crisis.
[전문가 간담회] 2008 북한 식량난 보고 자료
    1. 식량, 얼마나 부족한가?
    2. 일부 지역과 계층만의 문제인가?
    3. 아사는 이미 예상되고 있었다.
    4. 지금이라도 늦지 않았다.
Exclusive Briefing on the Food Shortage of North Korea 2008
    1. Food, how short is it?
    2. Is it only partial problem?
    3. Predicted Famine
    4. It’s not too late.
If you are intrested in this report file, just send email to us.
Thanks..

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees

If you need further information, please contact

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

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

North Korea Today No. 144

Research Institute for North Korean Society
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

North Korea Today 144th Edition June 2008

“Research Institute for North Korean Society of Good Friends, in order to bring news of the food crisis in North Korea more accurately and quickly, will increase its e-newsletter frequency to more than one issue per week. As such, the release dates might shift. Thank you for your understanding and attention to this looming crisis. We at Good Friends hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.”

Fig1. Map of the Famine Alerting Areas and the Regions Featured in NKT No.144

People Waiting to Starve to Death in Ryongyon county, South Hwanghae Province
Baechun County, Considerable Increase in People Dying of Starvation
Widespread Food Shortage Halts Construction in Mirubul Plain, Goksan County
Students Mobilized for Farming at Kangwon Province Fainted from Hunger
65% of the Residents in Seungho District of Pyongyang Survive on Porridge
Dukhyun Mine in Uiju County of North Pyongan Province Lost in Despair
Grass Porridge Poisoning Makes it Unable to Recognise Faces of the Deceased
Two People Found Dead under Ohbong Bridge in Hoeryong City
Eunduk County: “Grass Porridge Made Us Nearly Starved To Death”
Yanghwa-ri Farm, Shinpo Urgently Released 3 MT of Corn to Mobilize Farmers
2.8 Vinalon United Enterprise Urgently Released Rice
UN Affiliated Food Organization Inspected North Pyongan Province
In Pyongyang, Some People Trade in the Alleyways
In Kangsuh County, Many Students Are Sleeping in their Classes
[Opinion] Urgent Call for Responses on the Famine in North Korea

People Waiting to Starve to Death in Ryongyon county, South Hwanghae Province
A survey of residents in Ryongyon town룡연읍, Ryongyon county룡연군, South Hwanghae Province has shown that the food situation of the majority of the population is such that they do not even have 1kg of rice. With deaths from grass poisoning continuing to emerge and rations having run out three to four months ago, it appears that these residents are waiting to starve to death. Those people who have not become too weakened by the current situation are digging up unripe potatoes to eat and are stealing grain from other peoples’ homes in order to survive day by day.

On June 1st, two fourth-year students of Ryongyon town Primary school were caught by a guard while attempting to steal potatoes from a cooperative farm and were beaten severely. If the students had been healthy, they would have been able to survive the beating, but because the students were in such a weakened state, they died the next day. The guard was arrested by the authorities. Upon hearing the news, Lim Chunok(43) said, with an upset voice, “Even during the Arduous March, there were many instances where people tried to steal food from others and then died from the beatings they received. What wrong have these children committed when they were born into these conditions? I worry whether or not my own child will try to steal something and suffer like these children.” Jung Sungsan(43) echoed these sentiments and hinted at how extreme the situation is by saying, “People who aren’t able to eat are truly desperate right now. There are even people who say that they would be better off dead. These people are just waiting to die.”

Baechun County, Considerable Increase in People Dying of Starvation
The number of people who are dying of starvation in Baechun county배천군, South Hwanghae Province is on the rise. With the number of people dying of starvation rising to the point where the situation is clearly visible, the county party officials rushed to organize a lecture meeting and visited the homes of people who are on the verge of starving to death, or the homes of people who had a member of their family starve to death, in order to comfort and aid them. To these individuals, the county party officials issued ration voucher for 5kg of maize per household, and said, “We will have food rations coming soon. It won’t be long until we are able to live well again, so be strong for a little bit longer.” It appears that because people expect around 300 tons of maize to enter North and South Hwanghae Province around the middle of June, the authorities are giving out 5kg of maize to the households that are on the verge of starvation and need it the most. At present in Baechun, there are many households of four people who grind 1kg of maize and live on it for three days.

Widespread Food Shortage Halts Construction in Mirubul Plain, Goksan County
Construction of the Mirubul Plain미루벌 in Goksan County곡산군, North Hwanghae Province is constantly being delayed because of the food shortage, and the project is facing many difficulties. Without any other construction equipment, the project has to rely on human labor to be completed but the laborers are not able to work hard with the current lack of food. The workers on the project are given on average 20 kernels of maize a day for their rations. They would then have to take off 5kernels for the residents in Goksan County The laborers are saying that the conditions are too difficult and that they feel like they’re going to die because they are responsible for providing aid to the citizens, even though they do not have enough food for themselves. Because the order to provide aid was levied by the management, the laborers have to follow it, but the complaints are increasing. Because their work uniforms and their underwear have all worn out, the laborers wear just enough to cover themselves while working. There are many people who suffer accidents or contract diseases while working on the construction project, but because there are no medicines available, these individuals suffer greatly. Cases of people suffering from grass poisoning are common because many people are eating grass, as are cases of food poisoning. People are dying every day because they have weakened immune systems and because there is a lack of food and medicine, but at present, there is not much that can be done. With clean drinking water difficult to come by, there has been a rise in the number of waterborne diseases. The increase in diseases, grass poisoning, and swelling caused by the food shortage is affecting not only the laborers at Mirubul Plain, but also the populace at large. Children are surviving by going to the mountains to dig up grass and by grinding up and mixing the grass into the porridge they eat.

Students Mobilized for Farming at Kangwon Province Fainted from Hunger
Middle school students of Wonsan who were mobilized for farming at Pyongkang County of Kangwon Province are suffering from food shortages. Over half of one class, consisting of 40 students, were unable to prepare a handful of food. Without any readily available food, they are living in a state of extreme hunger. Their homeroom teacher tried many ways to obtain food but ended up with more discouraging news. The majority of the farming families there have long been managing to survive on grass porridge, but these residents now stay in bed, too hungry to work in the fields. More and more students are fainting from extreme hunger. The teacher is desperately worried that this situation might end up with more serious incidents, such as the death of students.

65% of the Residents in Seungho District of Pyongyang Survive on Porridge
It has been revealed that residents in the neighborhoods of Pyongyang City are going through more serious hardships than was expected. By one account, 65% of Hwachun 1-dong’s residents in Seungho District manage to survive on porridge and among these are many people who cannot even mange to have porridge once a day. 62-year-old Kim Myong-soo, who had lived on a senior pension finally, died of hunger on June 3 after managing to have porridge once a day for a month. Ryum Suk-ho, 47-years-old, delivered a message of serious food shortages to the neighborhoods of Pyongyang, “As far as I know, not only the majority of the residents of Hwachun 1-dong but also those of Hwachun 2-dong and Seungho 1-dong and 2-dong, namely most of the residents at Seungho District, are struggling to survive on thin porridge. Now one or two are dying of hunger. Unless food is soon distributed, more deaths will only be a matter of time. The fact that Pyongyang’s neighborhoods are witnessing deaths from hunger signifies that Pyongyang is no longer an area protected from starvation.”

Dukhyun Mine in Uiju County of North Pyongan Province Lost in Despair
With food distribution suspended, so many workers of Dukhyun Mine (덕현광산) are absent without notice that they are not even called upon to go to work. This seems understandable since observing them clearly explains the serious situation; all are lying in bed utterly exhausted from hunger. It has been a long time since the machine parts from the factory were stolen, it is unreasonable to expect the mine to now be able to operate properly. All of 42-year-old Park Chang-ho’s four family members were suffering from the poisoning of grass porridge. One of Park’s relatives living in Jungju County of North Pyongan Province reports in tears that upon Park’s request for help, he hurried to come and see his family, but he just found them all dead.

Grass Porridge Poisoning Makes it Unable to Recognise Faces of the Deceased
It has been over a month since people began to survive on grass porridge in Bukchung County 북청군 of South Hamgyong Province. These residents live in despair and misery, managing to survive merely on grass porridge since supplies of grain ran out a long time ago. People find themselves dumbstruck, unable to identify one another as they are all suffering from the facial swelling caused by the poisoning of grass porridge. Increasing numbers of people cannot go to work or school, they seem to be left waiting for death without getting any aid.

Two People Found Dead under Ohbong Bridge in Hoeryong City
On June 6 at 7 AM police officials in Hoeryong city of North Hamgyong Province found two people dead under Ohbong Bridge오봉다리. The autopsy revealed that they died from starvation. Without any identification cards found around them, it is impossible to identify who they are and where they come from, but it has been reported that they are not from Hoeryong City. The police report that there are growing numbers of people who are heading to the national border with the intention of going to China to escape extreme food shortages. The police also suspect that the two dead people must have been on their way to China after suffering from hunger in Hwanghae or Pyongan Province.

Eunduk County: “Grass Porridge Made Us Nearly Starved To Death”
Workers in the munitions factories in Eunduk County of North Hamgyong Province have been surviving on grass porridge. The current food shortage affects 10 households out of every Neighborhood Unit; in other words, around one third of the county’ whole population lives only on grass porridge. 61-year-old Kang Seung-in says, “Those who have grass porridge now are almost starving to death. It won’t be long until we witness people dying of hunger here and there.” He also adds in despair, “The rumor is going around that many died of hunger at the front; if that’s the case, our county will not be an exception.”

Yanghwa-ri Farm, Shinpo Urgently Released 3 MT of Corn to Mobilize Farmers
Because many farmers did not go to work or fulfill their duties at Yanghwa-ri Collective Farm, Shinpo County, South Hamgyong Province, the farm urgently released food. The farm provided farmers with 3 MT of corn, which had been reserved as emergency food last year. Those households in which family members were at the point of starvation and lacked any food were given 6 kg of food by the collective farm. A staff member of the farm said, “We distributed the food for 5 days because we need to do the most difficult and tough work during this period of time.”

2.8 Vinalon United Enterprise Urgently Released Rice
Workers of 2.8 Vinalon[1]) United Enterprise (2.8비날론련합기업소) at Hamheung, South Hamgyong Province have not received food for a long time. Therefore, the numbers of absences without leave have increased as workers are concerned with searching for food. On June 2, the support bureau of Enterprise released 5 MT of food reserves for emergency distribution to the workers. 6 kg of rice was distributed to each household that has not even had thin gruel.

UN Affiliated Food Organization Inspected North Pyongan Province
On June 5, the United Nations affiliated Food Organization went to several districts of Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province to inspect the food supplies available to residents. There was an urgent meeting at Sinuiju just one day before the inspectors arrived. The authority issued an order concerning how some residents should respond to UN inspectors’ questions and ordered that the other residents must not go out for 3 days.

In Pyongyang, Some People Trade in the Alleyways
Pyongyang does not distribute food regularly, so residents of some districts do not go to work. Although the food distribution in Pyongyang has not been sufficient, most people went to work and the number of people trading in markets was relatively small. But starting at the beginning of the year, food distribution has gone poorly, so small markets and trading booths have appeared in the alleyways of apartments in the congested residential areas. In Dangsang 1-dong and 2-dong of Mangyongdae District, the district inspectors try to control the public order by seizing goods and sending market-goers back home, but it is ineffective. When the inspectors come, the traders disappear; when the controllers leave, people soon return to the market. The Central Government repeatedly issued orders that they must secure food distribution for Pyongyang City by any means.

In Kangsuh County, Many Students Are Sleeping in their Classes
The critical food situation of Kangsuh County, South Pyongan Province has affected teaching and learning in school. Elementary school students are starving, limiting their ability to focus even if they come to class. It is impossible to expect these starving young children to go to school when many hungry adults do not go to work. In many cases, less than 10 students attend a class, so teachers send the students home. Some people can afford to consider their children’s education and keep them in school, but others do not even think of education. Hungry students cannot concentrate in their classes, worried as they are about finding food to eat. Teachers do not have much strength and their voice is feeble and soft, so they let their students study by themselves. Students sleep at their desks during class and even their teachers fall asleep in class. Currently, 40% of Kangsuh County residents have only one or two meals a day, consisting of gruel.

[Opinion]Urgent Call for Responses on the Famine in North Korea

What we were afraid of is beginning to come true. Farming areas in Hwanghae Province are seeing a marked increase in the number of people starving to death. We are also hearing news of people starving to death throughout North Korea. A team from the United States inspecting the food shortage situation is said to be planning to set up offices in Pyongyang, Sinuiju, and a city yet to be determined in Jagang Province. The U.S. team should inspect the situation in Hwanghae and Kangwon Provinces first because the rural areas of these two provinces are reported to be in the worst state. Every farm collective in these regions are seeing people dying of starvation every day. Many are surviving on grass porridge but many more are just waiting passively to die. Left alone, hundreds of thousands will starve to death.

But the North Korean authorities are covering up this reality. Why is that? Is it because the "Great People's Republic" is not allowed to have its own people starve to death? Then it should prepare a solution to the problem. If it can't come up with a solution on its own, then it should reveal its crisis to the international community and ask for help with the urgency that it deserves. You just can't sit back and expect others to automatically realize what's going on and help on their own accord. It's tough enough to get help even if you ask for it. You can't expect to save your pride while at the same time saving your people.

We have to save the people in any way that we can. We can't trivialize their deaths as an inevitable sacrifice to maintain the regime or overcome national challenges. All the national slogans about justice, peace, people's pride, and unification become empty when faced with people starving to death. Will the South Korean government just watch as people starve to death, or dismiss the crisis by saying that it doesn't exist? Are you going to comfort yourself by saying that, "since they are not asking for any aid, they must still be able to get by." Well, the North Korean government might be "get by" but not the people. When President Lee Myung-bak said that he loved the North Korean people, did he mean to love them by watching them die?

As some argue against aid for North Korea because news of famine is not real, that it's really not that serious, that the army takes it all anyway and it's only propping up the Kim Jong-Il regime, the elderly and young in North Korea are starving to death. Did you know that in the 1990's, out of the three million dead in the Arduous March, up to 73% of the victims were composed of the elderly above 60 and the young below 20? What crimes did they commit? Did they ever shoot a gun in anger? Did they shoot off the missiles? Right now in South Korea, hundreds of thousands are protesting on the streets because we are worried about our health.

But hundreds of thousands of people are starving to death just across the border in North Korea. We need candlelight vigils for them.

A few so-called experts have visited Pyongyang and looked at the new roads and construction, then declared that news of famine is just overblown propaganda. Is it possible to know less about North Korea? Don’t they know that North Korea is called the Republic of Pyongyang for a reason?

If they don’t see the famine, they should just say, “I didn’t see it.” If they don’t believe that a famine is happening, they should say, “I don’t believe it.” If they don’t know, they should say, “I don’t know.” Bu they shouldn’t make judgments such as, “The reports are exaggerated,” or “Aids organizations are overstating the case to exaggerate their own importance.” Such statements are absolutely irresponsible. They should be held accountable for the North Korean people who have starved to death because of them.

We once again call upon the North and South Korea government and the international aid community to act urgently to prevent further deaths of the North Korean people from starvation.

[1]) Vinalon(비날론): A Synthetic fiber invented by North Korean scientist called Lee Seung-ki, two years after the invention of nylon. This fiber is close to cotton that Kim Il-Sung awarded Vinalon as the Juche Fiber(주체섬유).

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

Good Friends (Korea)

E-mail:intnetwork@jungto.org

Tel: 82-2-587-8996

Fax:82-2-587-8998

Good Friends USA (Washington, DC)

E-mail:goodfriendsusa@yahoo.co.kr,

Tel: 1-202-824-0788/1-301-455-9196(D)

North Korea Today No. 143

Research Institute for North Korean Society
http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng

North Korea Today 143rd Edition June 2008

“Research Institute for North Korean Society of Good Friends, in order to bring news of the food crisis in North Korea more accurately and quickly, will increase its e-newsletter frequency to more than one issue per week. As such, the release dates might shift. Thank you for your understanding and attention to this looming crisis. We at Good Friends hope to be a bridge between the North Korean people and the world.”

[Epidemic Alert]
Bird-flu Virus Emergency in North Hamgyung province
Break-out of Bird-flu in Jungpyung County, South Hamgyong Province
Hand –Foot-Mouth Disease in Jangjin County, South Hamgyong

A Gun Fire on Dandong-Sinuiju Food Smuggling Ship
South Hwanghae, Can’t Celebrate the Founding Day of Boy Scouts
School President, “Can’t Hold Any Sports Games While Watching Neighbors Starve”
Thieves of Unripe Potatoes Increase
In Pyongsung, Armed Robbers Are At Large
In Shinyang County, Movement to Pick Herbs
“Since Reforms, Even Dogs Are Eating White Rice in China”
100~150 Thousand won For Taking Out One’s Child from Farming Mobilization
Forced Investigation on Suspicion of Trying To Cross the Border into South Korea
Arrest of Counterfeit Note Maker

[Epidemic Alert] Bird-flu Virus Emergency in North Hamgyung province
On the June 9, executives of the Emergency epidemic control of the each provincial, cities and county level to discuss about the ‘bird-flu’ at the city of Chungjin. In the meeting, the executives made the resolution to dispatch epidemic control inspectors in the areas where the disease broke out and the vicinity rural areas. They are to observe particularly on the children patients with ages from 2 - 8years with high fever and try to confine the area as soon as the ‘bird-flu’ is suspected.

While in No.16 National Security Agency(보위부) Kwanliso (관리소;Political prisoners labor unit) several tens of magpies were found dead. Three days later, a five year-old child of the National security agent has died after suffering from high fever for three days. Two days later, two prisoners showed same symptoms and in the following day three more people have showed same symptoms. Presently, these people have been confined within the political prisoner’s labor unit and the disinfection efforts are being made with physicians, but the precise diagnosis has not been determined.

[Epidemic Alert] Break-out of Bird-flu in Jungpyung County, South Hamgyong Province
On the 5pm of the June 3rd, several birds have found dead in the hills of the Gosachong(고사총) Gubundae(구분대) at the Air-force Headquarter in Jungpyung county, South Hamgyong Province. Emergency epidemic control of the Hamheung city has inspected the area and determined it was the ‘bird-flu’. The provincial government of the Jungpyung county announced the disease was similar to the’ bird-flu’, instead of announcing that it was in fact the ’bird-flu’. Following morning, several numbers of birds were found dead in the Jungpyung County. The local government has designated the frequently used roads as the epidemic area and made a notice to the residents to look out for estranged symptoms from their livestock (poultry). There is no particular plans to combat the epidemic except the slogans that says ‘Prevent the Bird –Flu Epidemic’ in most of the public places such as factories, public enterprises.

[Epidemic Alert] Hand–Foot-Mouth Disease in Jangjin County, South Hamgyong
There was an outbreak of the Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Jangjin County, South Hamgyong Province. The hospitals do not have specialized treatment, but just to confine and observe for the moment. Parents of young children are not sending their children to kindergartens, but keeping them at home.

A Gun Fire on Dandong-Sinuiju Food Smuggling Ship
In early May, three men died in a gun fire incident on the border of Dandong and Sinuiju. It is reported that the gun fire was triggered by an investigation from a North Korean coast guard vessel over a smuggling boat pulling into the dock. Panicked Chinese smugglers threw out two North Korean soldiers who got on board, and the surprised North Korean coast guard fired at the three Chinese smugglers, all of whom died instantly. Chinese authorities could not protest the incident because the dead were illegal smugglers. Tension in the border areas increased and the food smuggling operations temporarily stopped. However, since mid May, food smuggling operations have resumed again.

South Hwanghae, Can’t Celebrate the Founding Day of Boy Scouts
June 6th was a founding day for the Boy Scouts(소년단), and thus, each school held spring athletic games, mountaineering, and other recreational events. However, in Baecheon, Ryongyeon, and Ongjin in the South Hwanghae Province, the schools did not hold any events because they decided that it would be too much pressure on the parents of the students who were all in economic distress.

School President, “Can’t Hold Any Sports Games While Watching Neighbors Starve”
On June 6th, the founding day of Boy Scouts, in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, all the school were supposed to enjoy a day of recreational events including sports games. However, the Kangan Middle School did not hold any events. The school president decided not to do anything because he thought the events would put pressure on parents who were already in economic distress. Some teachers objected to the school president claiming that it might depress our students since all the other schools are planning recreational events. The school president replied, “it is much better to spend money to save starving residents than to hold recreational events. I heard that people in Hwanghae Province and Kangwon Province are starving to death, and it is unethical to enjoy a day of recreation just because we are not starving. We are better off than them thanks to our Leader, however they are so desperate to come seek food here. It is time to control ourselves more than it is in any other times”.

Thieves of Unripe Potatoes Increase
It will be a long time before the potato crop will be ripe. But, thieves are already stealing unripe potatoes. Choi Kwang-chul (67) in Cheolwon, Kangwon, had all the potatoes in his field stolen by soldiers. This incident has taken away the last hope he had, which was to eat potatoes instead of grass porridge with his wife. He reported this theft to the town office (읍사무소). Town office found two suspect soldiers and punished them for disrupting the military – private relationship. However, Mr. Choi was weeping saying, “what is the use of punishing those soldiers, it does not recover my potatoes. I am so desperate, how can we, the elderly people, survive?” People in this town of Cheolwon, usually survive by eating grass porridge or else they will starve.

In Pyongsung, Armed Robbers Are At Large
In Pyongsung, the police are on emergency alert because it is reported that a group of robbers armed with guns and anesthetic have attacked people. They usually rob train passengers. A business man drank a juice they gave him and was robbed of his merchandise and 1,700,000 won. Some people ran into the armed robbers while riding a bike and was threatened with a gun to give everything they had to the robbers. Due to this rumor, citizens of Pyongsung are not going outside at night. The Party directed the city to report such incidents and the city started an investigation of these robbery reports.

In Shinyang County, Movement to Pick Herbs
In Shinyang County, South Pyongan Province, a movement to pick wild grass (herbs) to survive is in progress. The mountains and fields were covered by people picking dandelions and wild vegetables. They have started picking them because after the Dano festival (단오절; on the fifth of the fifth month of the year according to the lunar calendar), the toxin of herbs will be stronger. They think that herbs are better to digest than rice root. However, even after the Dano festival, mountains are still crowded with people picking herbs.

“Since Reforms, Even Dogs Are Eating White Rice in China”
People are voicing their complaints of the Party all the while pretending to be praising them. The general opinion is that it is not reasonable to summon people to every Party meeting in the pretense of loyalty reinforcement, while there is a food crisis that has been going on for over 10 years.

Koh Chung-duk (43) expressed a strong antagonism against the high officials, justice officials and military officers saying that they are only focusing on how to rob their people. He added, “in China, through reforms, they have found resolutions to basic living problems. Even dogs are eating white rice(이밥) there. It sounds like a dream. When can we witness such a society?” He also said, “it is because our officials can’t reform our society, and therefore, we are living worse than dogs.”

100~150 Thousand won For Taking Out One’s Child from Farming Mobilization
The farming mobilization term for this year lasts for 70 days from May 15 to July 25. Students are mobilized for one month during this term and should work from 8AM to 7PM, which is very hard labor for young students. Some rich parents give money to teachers or associated officers (regardless of the amount of the money) to exempt their children from the farming mobilization. Officials or rich parents give money, in amounts as much as 100~150 thousand won to take their children out of the mobilization. Jang Cheol-Nam (49) who sends his child to Pohang Middle School in Chungjin City pointed out the change in social conditions, saying “For teachers, this term is a chance for them to make money. It is easy to get a certificate of participation on various mobilizations or training sessions if you pay the right person. Every parent’s concern and want to care for their children is the same whether they have money or not. So if they are able, all parents would take out their children from the mobilization, and so no one blames those parents for it.”

Forced Investigation on Suspicion of Trying To Cross the Border into South Korea
On May 28, one ship used for squid fishing (낙지잡이) was taken in Heungnam Port, South Hamgyong Province by a North Korean coast guard vessel. Five workers in the ship were taken on suspicion of trying to go to South Korea. They were handed over to the National Security Agency and have been under investigation until now. They are said to have stated that they have never even dreamed of crossing the border into South Korea. Their neighbors all expressed shock for why this would happen, saying “It cannot be true. Their families are all living here, and especially Mr. Lee has a new-born baby. We don’t know why this unreasonable thing happened. We hope that the misunderstanding is cleared up so that they can be released.”

This is the season to start squid fishing, but in the east coast region including Hamheung, the number of ships used for squid fishing is reduced compared to last year. This is because the authorities do not grant a sea admission certificate very easily. Regarding this increase in restrictions by the authorities, Kim Cheol-yeon (43) in Hamheung said, “I remember that one family crossed the border into South Korea from Songpyong District in Chungjin City last August. Since then, their restrictions became stricter. Ryeo Min-goo (47) in Chungjin also said, “In the east sea district, last year, several people crossed the border into South Korea by using the ships used for squid fishing. Therefore, many ships used for squid fishing were recalled in Chungjin or Hamheung. And those who do not have a clear identification are prohibited from coming and going to the sea and their vessels are recalled. Even now, they still keep recalling the ships.”

The regulation on the ships for squid fishing by the authorities was made by the special order from the National Security Agency. After the event of the one family who crossed the border into South Korea in Chungjin, North Hamgyong Province last year, the authorities have repeatedly revealed their will to blockade any attempts at border crossing this year. The guard posts regulating ships in the East Sea will pay more attention on the movement of ships for fishing. In addition, they regulate those who go out to sea by the amount of fuel they have for the vessel, and prevent fishermen from other regions from going out to sea. If a defector is reported, the chief of the corresponding guard post and those who worked that day must take all responsibilities. From this news, people in Chungjin worried that if they couldn’t go out to sea for fishing squid, they couldn’t make their living.

Arrest of Counterfeit Note Maker
On May 23, Cha Seong-cheol (36) living in Pyongsung-dong, Pyongsung City, South Pyongan Province and his two co-workers were arrested on suspicion of making and circulating counterfeit notes. It is said that they bought a printer from China and made and circulated five thousand won bills. They were caught this time in the by the National Security Agency who has been looking for the source of the counterfeit money.

Good Friends: Center for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees

If you need further information, please contact

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

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