This is “NK Market Trends,” bringing you
news about the North Korean economy every week, and today, we are accompanied
by reporter Kang Mi Jin. But first, let’s take a look at the market’s performance
over the past week.*
A kg of rice cost 5400 KPW in Pyongyang and
Sinuiju, and 5500 KPW in Hyesan. A kg of corn kernels cost 2050 KPW in
Pyongyang, 2100 KPW in Sinuiju, and 2200 KPW in Hyesan. The exchange rate for
one dollar was 8640 KPW in Pyongyang, 8760 KPW in Sinuiju, and 8800 KPW in Hyesan.
The exchange rate for 1 RMB was 1320 KPW
in Pyongyang, 1340 KPW in Sinuiju, and 1350 KPW in Hyesan. A kg of pork cost 12000
KPW in Pyongyang, 12500 KPW in Sinuiju, and 12500 KPW in Hyesan. A kg of
gasoline cost 7500 KPW in Pyongyang, Sinuiju, and Hyesan. A kg of diesel cost 5550
KPW in Pyongyang, 5450 KPW in Sinuiju, and 5350 KPW in Hyesan. This has been
Weekly Marketplace Prices.
1. The seasonal change has brought a
blanket of snow to the ground and lots of shifts to the marektplace. Reporter
Kang will tell us all about it today.
That’s right. Today’s topic will be the
increasing number of residents who purchase gas at the Hyesan market as well as
the popularity of pre-made frozen potato cakes (made from potato starch rather
than the traditional rice starch) and potato noodles.
Our sources say that an increasing number
of residents now buy (butane) gas tanks at the market. Those who can afford to
do so are considered to be very affluent and are the envy of everyone else. The
source adds that such people are no longer uncommon–a clear indication of how
much the living standards in NK have improved compared to the past.
2. I’ve heard that wood, or occasionally
coal briquettes, are the main sources of fuel for most households in Yanggang
Province. So know there are gas users there too I gather?
Yes. Our sources report that most households in
Yanggang Province still use coal or wood as fuel, but the use of gas in
steadily increasing. However, utilizing gas for cooking and heating is only widespread
in Pyongyang , and those outside Pyongyang who use gas at home are considered to
be quite rich and as such are referred to as “the withs” at the
marketplace.
You know my hometown is also in Yanggang
Province and I spent most of my life there, but during my time using gas was
pretty much unheard of.
Since many households still use wood or
coal briquettes as fuel, I thought that gas was used only in the big cities
like Pyongyang or Hamhung. I also mainly used wood, as did all my neighbours.
This piece of news is perhaps a signal that NK is undergoing a rapid change. When
I first heard this, I thought that the gas tanks were small ones designed for
use on small kitchen ranges or portable stoves. However, the source said that
the gas ranges being used in NK are similar to those in SK, and the gas tanks
are big.
3. Restrictions on marketplace activity have
also markedly relaxed over the last few
years, leading to significant improvements to living standards across North
Korean society. But with this comes a more polarized economic climate. Are
there elements of this discernible in the gas trend?
Yes. Sources report that as marketplace
activity grows, so does the gap between the rich and the poor, especially when
compared to the time of the famine in
the mid 1990s. The number of residents who buy one bundle of wood at a time–a
sizable quantity– and those who use modern gas ranges at home are increasing.
The source says that in the Hyesan marketplace, a kilogram of (butane) gas
costs 18 RMB, which is approximately 25000 KPW. Since a tank of gas generally
comes in 20 kg increments, you need about 500,000 KPW to buy one tank. With the
same amount of money, you can buy 100 kg of rice, which is to say that this is a
considerable sum of money for most people.
The loosening of market restrictions has
improved the livelihood of many, but it has also enabled the rich to get richer
while the poor get poorer—as residents say, money begets money. A monthly
budget of an affluent house is usually equivalent to an entire year’s budget of
ordinary households.
4. How long does a 500,000 KPW gas tank
last?
They are said to last approximately 20
days. It costs about 6-700,000 KPW to purchase enough coal or wood to last the
winter. That some can buy a tank of gas worth 500,000 which lasts only 20 days
shows just how affluent they are. Many of these people are donjuLiterally "masters of money," donju refers to people who hav... More (new affluent
middle class), hwagyo (community of overseas Chinese), or those receiving regular
remittances from defector family members in South Korea.
5. Is there resentment or envy among people
regarding the rich?
It would be natural for them to be envious.
However, most North Korean residents don’t readily envy others. They come to
grips with it by saying that an affluent lifestyle is for those who can afford
it, while people who are not as affluent must live frugally. A mindset such as
this was probably born out of surviving countless hardships.
6. I saw a video recently featuring one of
the new homes built for scientists in Pyongyang. There were scenes portraying
apartments with gas being used for
cooking purposes. Are there many
apartments that have gas lines installed?
NK has recently been constructing a lot of modern
apartments. These apartments are built to use gas for cooking and in central
heating. However, most apartments, which are not modern, have been built to use
coal, so there aren’t many apartments that have gas lines installed. As
mentioned, gas is used only by the wealthy, and is not widely used.
7. Let’s hope that a day will come when
ordinary residents will be able to live in modern apartments. What other
changes have there been in the market?
Potato cakes are selling very well these
days. The cake is left to cool outside after being made, then sold to vendors. Reheated
frozen potato rice cakes are more glutinous and tasty. These sell very well in
Yanggang Province as well as other provinces, so much so that there are
wholesale traders who deal in the cakes.
Potato cakes are usually sold individually. A cake slightly
smaller than a fist usually costs between 250 and 300 KPW at the market, but
the wholesalers are able to buy it at a price of 150 KPW each. These are popular in other regions where people
don’t make them themselves.
8. How are potato cakes made?
The potato has to be peeled, then ground
using a grater. It is then passed through a strainer several times. The existing
moisture is then squeezed out and the remaining potato is slightly steamed in a
pot. It will become too soft if cooked for too long. Next it is kneaded into a
dough of sorts, stuffed with vegetables and then steamed again.
9. You mentioned that frozen noodles are also
popular.
Yes. As the name suggests, frozen noodles
are simply noodles that have been frozen. Obviously they taste a lot better
once they’re heated up! The noodles are made by thinly cutting the starchy
potato dough and then being frozen. Although frozen noodles are not sold in other
regions, it is still a popular item at the market. All this talk of potato rice
cakes and noodles reminds me of home.
Thank you for listening to us today, and we
wish our listeners good health in the midst of this cold winter.
*This segment reflects market conditions for the week of December 14-18.
