Author: Han Jae-deok

In a bid to prevent potential defections, North Korean authorities have ramped up surveillance on workers aiding in flood-damaged areas near the Chinese border. The Construction Guidance Bureau is keeping a watchful eye on workers who were initially supposed to work overseas or have foreign experience. The workers undergo five daily roll calls to ensure their presence and are subjected to lectures emphasizing the need for progress in their work. Heavy-handed measures are being implemented by the authorities due to the increased risk of defections caused by washed-away security measures from recent flooding. Workers feel burdened by the excessive surveillance,…

In North Korea, doctors are struggling to survive on government rations and are resorting to bribery and farming on hospital grounds instead of treating patients. According to sources, doctors are receiving fewer rations, forcing them to find other ways to feed their families. Some doctors, like Kim, are accepting food from locals in exchange for issuing medical certificates. These certificates, meant to be proof of illness, are being used for illegal activities and to dodge work orders. Doctors like Lee are facing tougher times now than during the pandemic, as medical supplies are no longer being delivered and their rations…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new factory in Songchon County, North Pyongan Province, on February 28, 2024. North Korea’s “20×10” regional development policy calls for the building of modern factories in 20 counties annually over 10 years to raise provincial living standards. (Rodong Sinmun-News1) North Koreans are facing pressure to fulfill non-tax burdens for regional industrial factories under the “20×10” provincial development scheme. Despite Kim Jong Un’s order against economic burdens, residents are being tasked with providing grass and roofing materials for factories. The constant imposition of non-tax burdens is causing resentment…

Crackdown on South Korean Dialect in North Korea Leads to Fines During Phone Inspections North Koreans being questioned by an inspection unit officer in Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province in early 2017. (©Daily NK) The North Korean government is intensifying controls on the South Korean dialect use, leading to fines during random phone inspections. Young pedestrians often face scrutiny and penalties for using South Korean words and phrases, as revealed by multiple sources. Recent incidents involved fines of KPW 100,000 and KPW 200,000 for using South Korean expressions on cell phones. The government officials conducting these crackdowns are accused of using…

North Korean government is conducting lectures to promote hatred against South Korea and the U.S., with increasing criticism towards South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. These lectures include anti-American and anti-South Korean themes, praising Kim Jong Un and portraying a tense war-like atmosphere. The lectures, although a regular occurrence, have been met with indifference by North Korean audiences who are tired of continuous threats of war. Some even found humor in the idea of Yoon giving Biden a Korean-style name. The constant criticism has only made people more curious about the intentions behind the lectures. To many North Koreans, these lectures…

A woman walking and talking on a cell phone in Pyongyang. (Roman Harak, Flickr, Creative Commons) The price of “daepo” phones is on the rise in North Korea as authorities implement stricter purchase procedures. Previously, mobile phones were sold with minimal documentation, but now, buyers must closely match their faces with ID photos to prevent illegal resale. This crackdown has led to a surge in prices for daepo phones. Dealers are now required to pay an extra fee and have the person whose name they are using accompany them to the shop, resulting in a price increase of USD 10…

A picture of Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province, taken in February 2018. (Daily NK) North Korean law enforcement agents are investigating individuals profiting from illegal activities, with a surprising twist unraveled by Daily NK’s source in North Hamgyong Province. Inspectors targeted a neighborhood watch group, focusing on a man named Kim suspected of illicit business dealings. Despite suspicions, Kim was unexpectedly found innocent, leading to speculation of bribery. A curious turn of events Rumors suggest Kim bribed the inspectors with a lavish meal, leading neighbors to believe his wife may have informed authorities. The informant, Cho, previously caught making moonshine,…

A production line at the Daedong River Food Processing Plant in Pyongyang. (Maeari) North Koreans are increasingly seeking jobs at food processing plants for guaranteed food rations and wages, leading to a rise in bribery costs for these sought-after positions. Amid increased production at factories, job corruption is escalating, according to sources in Pyongyang. One plant, the Kumsong Food Processing Plant, located in Pyongyang’s Mangyongdae District, has become highly desirable due to steady food supplies for workers. As North Korean authorities emphasize food production to elevate living standards, more people are eager to work at these plants. With a monthly…

The Plight of Researchers in North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a missile launch. (Source: Rodong Sinmun) A recent report from Pyongyang reveals that researchers at the Academy of National Defense Science in North Korea are facing hardships due to low wages and poor treatment, affecting their morale and work performance. The researchers, despite receiving basic provisions, struggle to support their families with meager rations and insufficient salaries. One researcher highlighted, identified as “A,” receives limited food supplies and struggles to make ends meet after expenses. Moreover, researchers face housing issues, with priority given to higher-ranking officials,…

Decline in Distribution of Rodong Sinmun in Rural North Korea The circulation of the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, to businesses in rural North Korea has significantly decreased. This decline has resulted in a lack of regular access to international news and official propaganda for many North Koreans. Due to deteriorating economic conditions, distribution of the newspaper has been disrupted, leading to disinterest among the population. The Kyongwon Area Coal Mining Association in North Hamgyong Province, for example, used to receive 300 copies of the Rodong Sinmun but now only receives 150. Additionally, with…