The North Korean authorities spread a rumor saying that the leaflets sent from South Korea by NGOs were radioactive and would make people go blind, according to the 5th edition of “NK In & Out,” a biweekly newsletter issued by the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights (NKnet).

North Korea has been threatening that if South Korea continues to send out the leaflets, then North Korea will cut off all bilateral ties. Now it seems as though the North Korean authorities are attempting to control the leaflets within the country.

“NK In & Out” reports that the North Korean authorities have dispatched the army, the People’s Safety Agency and army reserve personnel to collect leaflets dropped near the DMZ. Additionally, during People’s Unit meetings, North Koreans are being encouraged to report any leaflets and taught how to act when they find those leaflets. They are taught that those who read the contents of the leaflets or share them will be punished for collaborating with the anti-Korean activities of the enemy.

NK In & Out also includes information suggesting that North Koreans were forced to pay for and watch the Arirang Mass Game in an attempt to improve the low turn out. The Arirang Mass Games are held every year to commemorate the anniversary of the regime and this year’s were especially festive due to the sixtieth anniversary of the regime and also attempts to attract visitors in China attending the Beijing Olympics. However, according to a resident of Pyongyang who often visits China, there is a rumor that the mass games caused North Korea great financial losses due to the lack of foreigners coming to watch the show. “Local residents were made to watch the show after receiving permission to visit Pyongyang. They were, unlike previous years, supposed to pay for the trip, including the show” added Kim.

NK In & Out released by NKnet includes current news involving the actual lives of North Koreans inside North Korea. NK In & Out gets in touch with the reality of North Korea by reporting recent events from within North Korea and also by disseminating the economic situation on the ground, such as the price of food or commodities, with the readers.

The 5th edition also included news on stricter restrictions on reading the contents of the leaflets, watching foreign (Korean) CDs, and food collections for the military. Everyday economic facts such as changes to the price of a train ticket from Pyongyang to Sinuiju, out-of-control private markets in Sinuiju and the current price of commodities are also reported in this issue, along with the North Korean government’s attempts to control them.