North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is emphasizing
the need to focus on domestic manufacturing and consumption of homemade goods
to counteract the nation’s unhealthy reliance on imports. In actuality,
however, high- level Party cadres continue to show a preference for foreign
goods when it comes to everything from home appliances to beverages.
In a telephone conversation with the Daily
NK on January 29th, a source from North Pyongan Province said, “These days, the
authorities are trying to use the [state-run publication] Rodong Sinmun and
lectures to stimulate the consumption of domestic goods. However, these pleas
are contradicted by the behavior and purchasing patterns of the cadres, who
have continued to buy foreign goods. This trend underlines one of the ways
cadres live a double life, saying one thing while serving in their official
function, and then behaving a different way when they are not.”
This was substantiated by reports from two
additional sources: one in Pyongyang and another in South Pyongan Province.
He continued, “Upper level cadres
wear foreign clothes, use expensive, German [or what they believe to be German]
home appliances, and snap up Russian and Japanese goods when given the
opportunity. The clothes, appliances, furniture, and foods that these cadres
get from foreign sources using bribe money exceeds the amount they get using
legitimate means.”
The Cuckoo brand rice cooker made in South
Korea has continued to be imported through China’s Dandong City through customs
at the North Korean border town of Sinuiju. It is an item that is expressly
forbidden by customs regulations, but the cadres openly use their authority to
facilitate the inward flow of the popular rice cookers, the source said, noting, ”As Seollal [Lunar New
Year] approaches, Chinese goods will continue to be imported legally, but South
Korean products will continue to be smuggled in as well.”
Meanwhile, he added, North Korean
authorities are lecturing and emphasizing how important it is to be an
independent economy. This is in response to the impending sanctions from
America and the broader international community following the regime’s 4th
nuclear test. By continuing to rely on outside nations and failing to develop
home grown economic power, North Korea’s enemies will succeed in their
objectives, authorities argue.
However, by shoring up local resources and
economic independence, sanctions and blockades will be less effective. That is
why the regime is encouraging residents to contribute to the production and
consumption of domestic products.
“It doesn’t matter how much Kim Jong Un
expounds on the importance of economic independence. North Koreans already have
the mentality of preferring foreign goods. It is not likely to wither away just
like that. Even three-year-old children know that even the General [Kim Jong
Un] has an affinity for foreign products. In witnessing such hypocrisy, the
people can do nothing but laugh,” the source asserted.
When purchasing
foreign goods, cadres are said to like more than just products from China, which are largely used as foreign-currency earning methods by trading companies or sold in the markets to consumers. In fact, Chinese
food products are regularly criticized by cadres and ordinary residents like for “containing loads of chemicals and being unclean.”
“The donjuLiterally "masters of money," donju refers to people who hav... More [newly wealthy class] generally
don’t let Chinese coffee touch their lips, preferring South Korean brands if
they have a choice. Failing that, they’ll go with Russian varieties. In terms
of what bribes they would like to receive during the Lunar New Year, the donjuLiterally "masters of money," donju refers to people who hav... More
said that South Korean products are best. Those thinking about giving Chinese
or North Korean products should probably think again,” he concluded.
