Less than a month after the conclusion of the “70-Day
Battle” in preparation for the 7th Party Congress, the North Korean authorities
have issued orders for a “200-Day Battle,” stirring up palpable discontent
among the general public, Daily NK has learned.
“Although the
‘70-Day Battle’ only recently ended, fresh orders to begin a ‘200-Day Battle’
have been issued,” a source from South Pyongan Province reported in a telephone
conversation to Daily NK on May 30, adding, “The orders stipulate that a new
‘battle’ will commence on June 1 and last until December 17 (the day of Kim
Jong Il’s death).”
Sources in North Pyongan Province and Ryanggang Province also reported similar developments in their respective regions.
The announcement has triggered discontent among the public,
to the degree that some individuals are complaining [amongst themselves] about
the state issuing constant mobilizations when “nothing else is being addressed,”
noted the source.
“How many more
battles demanding every last ounce of our blood and sweat can we handle?” some
have asked, with others saying, “Even some Party cadres have been critical,
asking why the state is going on about another battle when one just came to an
end,” said the source.
The new “200-Day Battle” appears to be part of the
preliminary work for the implementation of the five-year economic development
laid out by Kim Jong Un during the 7th Party Congress. The directive reflects
the lack of tools the leadership has at hand when it comes to implementing the
plans that were announced at the congress, which were aimed at building
solidarity and increasing loyalty amongst the population.
“During previous Party congresses (under Kim Il Sung), at
least the plan put forth clearly outlined economic goals by sector. But this
time, there was no clarity,” the source said, adding, “It’s likely the state
will just push slogans for ‘full-on mobilization’ and ‘absolute goal
attainment’ with no clear aim on what should be done, how, and to what extent.”
This has led some North Koreans to perceive the “200-Day
Battle” as nothing more than a propaganda vehicle to imbue people with a sense
of obligation to participate in projects laid out during the Party Congress and
memorializing Kim Jong Il’s death.
“The ‘200-Day Battle’ is being referred to as a ‘rigorous
march,’ mourning the loss of the General (Kim Jong Il), while attempting to
remedy the anti-climactic atmosphere following the Party Congress,” the source
said. “The state is signaling it will hold a much larger event of mourning this
year, as it’s the fifth anniversary of the General’s (Kim Jong Il’s) death [as
is the case for anniversaries marking five and ten years].”
Meanwhile, officials at central agencies, workers at state
factories, and even college students are being requested to memorize the speech
Kim Jong Un delivered at the 7th Party Congress, adding further difficulties to
their study schedules and efforts to meet production quotas.
