[imText1]The demand for X-rated movies among North Koreaβs high cadres is so great that a single VCD sells for 50 US dollars.
The latest publication of Good Friends, a North Korea-related aid organization, tells the story of Mr. Park, a resident of Hyesan, Yangkang Province. Mr. Park was arrested for making copies of South Korean adult movies–called βcolored moviesβ in North Korea–and selling them in Pyongyang. Despite the high price per VCD, the publication notes that supplies are getting tight.
βMr. Park bought the CDs near the North Korean- Chinese border from China. Then he would make his friend in Pyonsung, South Pyongan Province copy them and to sell them to traders in Pyongyang,β reported the publication.
Lack of fertilizers this farming season
βThe agricultural authorities ordered workers from each provincial Party and Cooperative Farm Management Committee to find alternative sources of fertilizer. But, there is no place to get it,β said the repot.
The publication detailed some of the various ways in which farmers are coping: βIn Shinuiju and its suburbs, people gather hen feces to use as fertilizer. Those who raise fowl sell the feces for 20-25 thousand won per cart.β
βAt Sehsun-ri collective farm in Onsung, the management committee puts owners of oxcarts in competition to collect human manure. At Wangjaesan collective farm, the committee made farmers compete with each other to bring buckets of manure every morning, awarding the top gatherer with underwear and fourth- to seventh-place gatherers with socksβ Good Friends revealed.
The publication quoted Koh Sung Kook, a resident in Hamheung who said, βthe most useful things for us are fertilizer and food. And, unless we can prepare fertilizer and vinyl for greenhouses, we canβt farm this year.β
Regarding this, an affiliate of the Ministry of Unification revealed through a phone conversation with Daily NK on the 3rd, βWe have not yet taken any request for fertilizer from North Korea.β Therefore, giving fertilizer aid will be difficult for the time being.
