Investigation is going on in South Pyongan Province regarding numbers of posters along with the pictures of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) candidates that were reportedly vandalized and some “anti-election” graffiti that were found in Mundeok, South Pyongan Province reported the 13th edition of “North Korea In & Out,” a biweekly newsletter issued by the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights (NKnet).
The “North Korea In & Out” also reported that the North Korean government ordered “All middle school graduates except those who are planning to go college to be enlisted in the army.” It is due to diminishing number of enlistees in the Chosun (North Korea) People’s Army. It is reported that middle school sixth graders (17 years old) are to be graduated seven months earlier in August and are to be enlisted in the army.
Other News in the NKnet’s newsletter reported that mobile phones are officially in use around Pyongyang and suburban areas. The party officials and workers of munitions factories are however prohibited from using mobile phones. The available mobile phones are sold from 210 dollars to 230 dollars. There is a monthly charge of 2,500 North Korean won with seven free minutes per day for the first month then there is additional monthly charge of 8,000 won. The mobile phones are not available for international phone calls although may be used for long distance calls within Pyongyang and South Pyongan Provinces.
This edition of “NK In & Out” also noted that electricity in Pyongyang is now on for 24 hours, under Kim Jong Il’s special order. It has been reported that Kim Jong Il ordered to provide electricity for 24 hours after he went to visit Tongil street and saw that the light was not on.
The “NK In & Out” released by NKnet includes current news involving the lives of average people inside of North Korea. The “NK In & Out” seeks to touch on realties in North Korea by reporting recent events from within North Korea, specifically regarding the economic situation on the ground, such as the price of food or commodities.
