Following a whirlwind of summits in its efforts to engage the international community, North Korea has restarted the distribution of rations to some military families – who have not received such supplies for some time.
“Families of military officers who had not received rations for over a year recently received provisions earmarked for the military – mostly corn with some rice,” a source in North Hamgyong Province told Daily NK.
“It seems like there’s a lot more rice flowing into North Korea from China now following the summit[s] between our countries and that’s probably why the rations are coming. The authorities have released Number 2 ration provisions (earmarked for wartime) and are distributing them to military families, before replenishing the supplies.”
Anticipating increased international support, especially from South Korean and China, the authorities are likely distributing the rations to military families to boost loyalty toward the regime amid shifting political priorities domestically and abroad.
It is unclear whether such rations have been distributed to military families nationwide, although the likelihood remains low considering that a widespread influx of food aid is contingent on the relaxation of sanctions and North Korea taking meaningful steps toward denuclearization.
“Some spouses who went to their parents’ or other relatives’ homes [for food or money] are returning home on news of the disbursement. There’s a lot of expectation and anticipation all around. People associate the inter-Korean and US summits with an increase in aid and hearing that military families have received rations, are expecting that the benefits will extend to the entire population,” a source in Ryanggang Province said.
But relying on more robust rations is ill-advised, according to the source, who added that the markets are the only guarantee for livelihood security.
“Most military families live with military units some distance from bustling city areas [where the markets are located], which has hampered their access to the markets. Some military spouses, however, have found ways to scrape together and sell just enough alcohol or tofu to avoid abject poverty,” the Ryanggang-based source added.
“Military families who take the authorities at their word and depend on rations disbursements have struggled so much. Those who don’t understand that times have changed with regards to survival in the market economy are being left behind.”
