Shenyang, China — In commemoration of Kim Jong Il’s birthday on February 16th, 15-days of rations were provided to the citizens of Hyangsan and Woonsan in North Pyongan Province.
According to a source, the ration consisted of 2 kilograms of rice, 2 kilograms of noodles and the rest in corn for households with more than four family members. For small households, a kilogram of rice and noodles were given and the rest in corn. Recently, on the farms, provisions have not been sufficient and stealing has grown difficult, so the expectation of our citizens regarding the special rations have been high.
The source explained, “Since last year, with the increase in the number of guards on farms and the strengthening of house searches, the stealing of food from farms has been absolutely impossible.” For the last several years, as rations failed even for farmers themselves, stealing from collective farms as a means of survival had become commonplace.
The source continued, “Inspections have also been taking place at the county and provincial levels every November and December. With the strengthening of the regulations governing grain, stealing has become more difficult. If one is caught, he or she is taken to a labor detention facility.”
All the citizens of North Korea usually receive some form of commemorative product in honor of Kim Jong Il’s birthday, though it is not always in the form of food.
The source went on to mention other topics, relaying that the tense atmosphere inside North Korea has been mounting.
After the issuance of a statement by a Chosun Central Broadcast spokesperson about the possibility of war, the authorities have encouraged the submission of petitions from those under 60, pledging to enlist in the military in the event of war.
He noted, “The number of checkpoints has increased on the streets, and military vehicles have been camouflaged. Inspections have been taking place without fail at the checkpoints and the citizens have been marked with white yarn etched on their winter clothes.” The white yarn is intended to distinguish citizens from the enemy.
The source indicated that even though the North Korean authorities have thus stepped up their military preparations and created a mood of social instability, the citizens have not shown much interest. Not only does such training recur every year, but the wartime preparations by the state have also not been effective due to the difficult daily food situation.
The source stated, “The lectures claim that the rebel Lee Myung Bak, in order to stir up a war, has been preparing for a showdown between the North and the South. But the citizens respond derisively, saying, ‘We’d rather have a war.'”
