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2017.06.28
| Won | Pyongyang | Sinuiju | Hyesan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 8,070 | 8,050 | 8,095 |
| Rice Price | 5,800 | 6,000 | 5,900 |
The North Korean authorities continue to issue “nuclear test success” propaganda, but ordinary people in provincial areas are unimpressed by it. At the same time, an increasing willingness to close city markets to push people toward celebratory events is aggravating social tensions.
A source from Chongjin in North Hamkyung Province informed Daily NK today, “Last Wednesday they sent down orders telling us to close the markets and ensure, without exception, that everyone attend public lectures and celebration events. Local people were forced to take part in these events, and there was no small degree of complaint about that.”
“There are propaganda posters and slogans about the successful missile launch and nuclear test all over downtown, and placards on the sides of buses and other commercial vehicles,” the source went on. “In particular, the propaganda trucks are out there from first thing in the morning to late at night making a racket about it.
“Elementary and middle school students have been divided up into morning and afternoon groups to march through the streets celebrating the successful nuclear test. University students have been gathering every night wearing [traditional Korean clothing] to dance and celebrate.”
The atmosphere is very different to that in 2006 and 2009, the source also said. At that time, celebrations were far more restrained: only a limited number of posters about the nuclear test in places where people tended to pass frequently. Propaganda vehicles did not focus on the nuclear tests; only Chosun Central TV and radio really covered it.
“People just wonder why the authorities now feel they have to shut the markets every time there is a national event,” the source said. “The markets were heavily regulated for a few days due to Kim Jong Il’s birthday (February 16th) and then to celebrate the nuclear test. People are complaining a bit now.”
Meanwhile, a second source from the border city of Hyesan reported on doubts harbored there, saying, “Cadres from the Municipal Party Committee are pretty cynical, asking why it is that the authorities shouted about successful nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 making us a nuclear-armed state, and yet they are doing the same thing again this time. They are wondering which claim is right’.
A source from Chongjin in North Hamkyung Province informed Daily NK today, “Last Wednesday they sent down orders telling us to close the markets and ensure, without exception, that everyone attend public lectures and celebration events. Local people were forced to take part in these events, and there was no small degree of complaint about that.”
“There are propaganda posters and slogans about the successful missile launch and nuclear test all over downtown, and placards on the sides of buses and other commercial vehicles,” the source went on. “In particular, the propaganda trucks are out there from first thing in the morning to late at night making a racket about it.
“Elementary and middle school students have been divided up into morning and afternoon groups to march through the streets celebrating the successful nuclear test. University students have been gathering every night wearing [traditional Korean clothing] to dance and celebrate.”
The atmosphere is very different to that in 2006 and 2009, the source also said. At that time, celebrations were far more restrained: only a limited number of posters about the nuclear test in places where people tended to pass frequently. Propaganda vehicles did not focus on the nuclear tests; only Chosun Central TV and radio really covered it.
“People just wonder why the authorities now feel they have to shut the markets every time there is a national event,” the source said. “The markets were heavily regulated for a few days due to Kim Jong Il’s birthday (February 16th) and then to celebrate the nuclear test. People are complaining a bit now.”
Meanwhile, a second source from the border city of Hyesan reported on doubts harbored there, saying, “Cadres from the Municipal Party Committee are pretty cynical, asking why it is that the authorities shouted about successful nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 making us a nuclear-armed state, and yet they are doing the same thing again this time. They are wondering which claim is right’.
