Changchun, China -- Among the various societal changes that the jangmadang is bringing about in North Korea, one of the most prominent is the development of an ad-hoc labor market for those seeking work and those in need of workers which exists on the margins.

An inside North Korean source told the Daily NK, "Private instructors, cart drivers and even trafficked women find work here."

In the jangmadang, goods that are permitted for sale by the authorities and items that are not heavily regulated such as clothing, shoes and Chinese medicinal products are sold.

Outside, meanwhile, there are usually three classes camped at the entrance or in the surrounding alleyways: home appliance merchants, money changers and laborers.

The people standing in two sides holding paper signs at the entrance to the jangmadang are the home appliance merchants. Their signs contain the names of electronic appliance manufacturers such as Hitachi, Sanyo, Hongmei Electronic Co., a Chinese company, or Changhong, a Chinese television company.

These merchants are regarded as quite rich in some regions.

Slightly further away, women and men carrying nothing can be seen.

They are quietly talking in groups of twos and threes. Those who are new to the market do not know who they are, but experienced jangmadang visitors know who they are for sure.

They are the "money changers," or "currency middlemen." They earn a profit by exchanging North Korean forged currency (supernotes; forged U.S. dollars), the dollar and the Chinese Yuan.

They serve as the way supernotes circulate. Through them, a 100 dollar supernote can be acquired at a reasonable price. Drugs such as crystal meth, so called “bingdu” in North Korea, or opium and bullets or other military supplies can also be obtained through them.

One of the many alleyways which criss-cross the jangmadang is occupied by another group of men, who take customers to a quieter alley. These are the men who sell bicycles and motorcycles.

Besides these, one more group can be found.

Well-dressed women, men wearing work clothes and some sitting on wheelbarrows can be seen. Huddled in a group, these workers go off one by one when called. A well-dressed woman will be called or a cart driver will be taken away.

This is the labor market which began to form around the North Korean jangmadang towards the end of 2007. In North Korea, they are called the “Bbakbbaki (the sound made by ducks) Unit."

An inside source explained, "Women wearing immaculate make-up can be seen in the ‘Bbakbbaki' Unit. These women are available for work as private instructors, housekeepers or prostitutes."

The source explained, "People who are in need of urgent household help can visit these units and pick up a worker. When difficult work such as repairing the house or burying kimchi comes up, then workers are bought in from the Bbakbbaki unit."

The source said, "This year, a well-known rich trader donated 17 tons of pork to the People's Army. However, this person did not actually lift a finger, but raised the pigs by buying workers and getting them to do it, then made a contribution to the state in his own name."

When affluent people contribute materials to the North Korean authorities, the state in turn issues special business privileges, such as the right to operate a restaurant.

According to the source, the workers who sell their labor in the jangmadang all have professions, but since they cannot receive rations from factories due to the lack of work, they leave for work in the morning but come out to the jangmadang to find paid work later in the day.

The source relayed, "Young women who have graduated from college often become private education instructors. In addition, many women become maids or go into prostitution. Housekeeping positions are one in a million."

He went on, "When affluent men go to karaoke bars or to drink, they might take several women from the 'Bbakbbaki' units.' Usually, the women are paid 2,000 won per hour to drink with the men and 4,000 won for providing sexual services. When spending the night with a customer, they receive 40,000 won."

In particular, the source stated, “As the number of these units grows, the number of street children has decreased. Cases of these children finding work and making money are on the rise. To those who need a means to make money and eat, this has become a useful source of income."

Finally, the source commented, "If people had the freedom to engage in this type of business legally, then it would be a huge help, but unfortunately the People's Safety Agents come around at least a few times a day and interfere in order to channel bribes under the guise of 'regulation.'"