Daily NK has learned that with the exception of Pyongyang, the North Korean authorities have ceased distributing regular food rations despite promises that distribution would "return to normal." While last year saw provincial urban centers receive rations from the state's wartime reserves, this year there has been very little distribution on offer for those beyond the walls of the "revolutionary capital."

A Pyongyang-based source told Daily NK on the 23^rd that residents of the capital have continued to receive steady food rations after the initial post-harvest influx last October. "They gave us enough for two weeks at the beginning of this month and another two weeks on the 16th."

��There is talk going round that the Marshal [Kim Jong Eun] has taken great interest in food distribution and is giving direct orders on the matter.  Even those who were initially skeptical at Party promises of regular distribution are happy with the comparatively plentiful rations,�� the source reported.

However, the food situation remains tenuous for the rest of the country. A second source from Hyesan revealed, "In January, housewives were given two kilos of mixed rice and corn and households received ten days of rations on top of that.  But there has been nothing since then, and there is no word from the Upper (the authorities) about rations now in April, even though food tends to be scarce for us at this time.��

A third source from North Hwanghae Province added, ��Last year the authorities released the 'No.2 wartime rice reserves' but there have been no special directives this year. Even though the rice we ended up getting was spoiled and full of bugs, a lot of people are upset that they won't even get that this time around.��

After receiving word from the centre last year, plenty of cadres boasted that the distribution system would soon return to normal. For most, however, the reality is quite different as "some wonder if there is any rice left at all now that they've released the wartime reserves." 

In North Hamkyung, too, rumors swirl that even the regional military bases have nothing to eat. ��Discontent is there, and talk in the markets centers around distribution and how promises from the authorities cannot be trusted ,�� the source continued.

However, ��Rice supply is still not a serious issue because farms are bringing stored reserves to market in order to purchase diesel to prepare the fields for planting. But the barley won't arrive until June, and if the current situation continues there are sure to be households who will struggle this spring.��