Author: Seulkee Jang

In China, North Korean workers are facing extreme stress and confinement in dormitories and factories, with delays preventing their return home. Recently, a woman attempted suicide due to the uncertainty of her return date after being stuck in China for over five years. The slow replacement of workers has only exacerbated the situation, as the hope of going back home diminishes. North Korean trading companies in China have been hesitant to repatriate workers, causing psychological distress among the laborers. To alleviate stress, officials have resorted to small gestures like adding pork to meals and increasing leisure time. However, the root…

In North Korea, the U.S. dollar exchange rate hit a record high of 16,500 won on Sept. 2, but has since dropped to 16,100 won in Pyongyang. Despite the regime’s attempts to restrict private currency exchange, the won continues to weaken against foreign currencies. Similar fluctuations have been observed in other areas, with rates in Sinuiju even higher at 16,200 won. The pandemic initially caused the exchange rate to drop below 5,000 won, but recent crackdowns on private currency exchange by North Korean authorities have led to a surge in rates. Demand for foreign currency remains high as the government…

A shocking incident in Vladivostok involving a North Korean worker has left many in disbelief. The worker, a team leader at a construction company, had been embezzling his colleagues’ salaries for months, accumulating a staggering $15,000. The news not only shocked workers at his company but also others in similar situations across Russia. The worker, who had been in Russia for over seven years, was immediately stripped of his position and forced to work without pay as punishment. Despite his experience and skill in construction work, he will remain in this lowly position for a year. The revelation has caused…

In North Korea, the government claims that 300,000 young people have volunteered for flood recovery work, but sources reveal that most were forcibly recruited. The living conditions of these “volunteers” are harsh, with members facing exhausting work in humid weather and inadequate resources. Shock troop members are reportedly served meager meals and are required to provide their own side dishes, forcing some to ask their parents for financial support. Despite the challenging conditions, some young people endure the hardship in hopes of gaining party membership. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently praised the volunteers at a ceremony, emphasizing their…

North Korea is facing backlash for demanding foreign currency from its overseas workers to fund flood recovery efforts, contradicting their earlier stance on self-reliance over international aid. The North Korean authorities are pressuring trading companies in Russia to contribute $70 per worker for flood relief, even though these companies actually control North Korean construction workers. These workers, both civilian and military, earn minimal wages in Russia, with deductions and extortion practices leaving them with very little income. With over 40,000 North Korean workers estimated in Russia, Pyongyang could raise $2.8 million this month if all workers comply. Workers are criticizing…

Despite recent flooding in North Korea caused by heavy rains, the price of grain in North Korean markets has remained stable. The North Korean government is utilizing emergency grain supplies to keep market prices in check. In Pyongyang, a kilogram of rice was trading for 5,700 North Korean won on Aug. 4, similar to the price on July 21. In Sinuiju, the price was 5,800 won, only slightly higher than two weeks before. However, in Hyesan, the price had dropped to 6,100 won. Government hastily releases rice reserves Authorities released rice reserves and wartime supplies after a meeting to prevent…

Remnants of North Korea’s balloons filled with trash are scattered in front of the Incheon Meteorological Observatory in Jeonjeon, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea, on June 2, 2024. (Yonhap News) North Korea continues to launch balloons filled with trash towards South Korea in a series of provocations. The regime is now conducting lectures to justify and promote these actions among its citizens. Lectures held at various factories near the Chinese border emphasize dumping garbage in Seoul as a way to counter the South. The rhetoric used in the lectures directly blames South Korea for the aggressive actions. Echoes of Kim Jong…

North Korea Market Exchange Rates Skyrocket Amid Government Restrictions FILE PHOTO: A picture of a streetside market in Hoeryong taken in 2019. (Daily NK) The market exchange rates in North Korea are seeing a significant increase due to government restrictions, leading to criticism from North Koreans. The dollar exchange rate has risen sharply in various regions, hitting record highs. The government crackdown on private remittances has also contributed to the surge in exchange rates. Despite these challenges, the demand for foreign currency continues to grow as trade expands. The government’s focus on regulating foreign exchange transactions in banks has also…

A view of Panmunjom from the South Korean side of the border. (Wikimedia Commons) The North Korean authorities are increasing military personnel in the inter-Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) to accelerate the burying of landmines and fortification construction, reports Daily NK. Specialized engineering units from the Seventh and Eighth General Bureaus have been deployed to the DMZ to expedite the work, which is believed to be focused on preventing defections among frontline personnel. Despite violating the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) several times while rushing the construction, North Korean troops are determined to complete the tasks ahead of schedule, possibly motivated by…

The Rise of Regional Trade in North Korea A cargo truck travels from Dandong, Liaoning Province to Sinuju, North Pyongan Province, via the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge on the morning of Jan. 20, 2024. (Daily NK) Since North Korean authorities implemented the “20×10 regional development policy,” regional trade has boomed, boosting business in rural markets. Despite maintaining tight control, the authorities are witnessing substantial growth in trade, especially in border provinces like Yanggang and North Hamgyong. Imported goods have flooded the markets, filling stalls with products that were scarce during the pandemic. The policy’s focus on upgrading factories has led to…