Trade Trumps Kim Jong Il’s Commemoration

Daily NK has learned that the Sinuiju
Customs House, the main portal to and from Dandong, plans to continue
operations on December 17th, the upcoming date marking three years since Kim
Jong Il’s death. Surprisingly, no official mourning period has been declared by the state, despite the third anniversary of a death being the most significant in traditional Korean grieving culture, nor are any plans for large-scale proceedings on the horizon.

“We’re coming up on three years since Kim
Jong Il’s death, but there’s been no declaration of an official mourning
period, and trade with China is as active as ever,” a source in North Pyongan
Province told the Daily NK on December 12th. “The 17th won’t be any different.”

“The third anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s passing is a domestic political event, but trade is an important part of transactions based on trust with the international community, the source explained as to possible reason for the divergence from the past.

Compared to widespread events memorializing the death of the former leader North
Korea saw the two previous years, the source reports that this year, any related events will take place within a decidedly subdued atmosphere; this is especially true for the customs office, which lacks any detectable trace of a commemorative mood, according to the source.

“On
the 17th at the customs office, they’ll stand in front of Kim Jong Il’s
portrait for a brief moment of commemorative contemplation, and then keep on
with their work. Trade vehicles will continue to pour in from China regardless
of any type of official call for mourning,” she explained.

The trade hub suspended operations on both the first and second
anniversaries of Kim Jong Il’s death and all residents were required to take part in commemorative events honoring the former leader.

As to Kim Jong Eun’s decision to eschew a formal mourning period for his father, the source asserted, “It seems like he’s trying to foster loyalty from residents, who usually
complain about unnecessary events such as official grieving edicts.”

“He’s
also likely hoping to procure as much foreign currency as possible for the
stability of the regime,” she surmised. 
“Kim Jong Eun’s political style seems less
about empty formalities and vanities, and more about stressing actual profits.”