North Korea has purportedly opened a chain of all-purpose stores with business hours operating until midnight--much akin to convenience stores in other countries. 

The Chosun Sinbo, a pro-North Korea publication run by The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, published an article [written from Pyongyang] on Monday under the headline, ��New Type of Business Opens under Slogan Stability, Convenience,��  reporting that a new strand of shops began springing up in Pyongyang on December 20th of last year. 

According to the publication, the new shops are chain stores and for the initial round, stores opened doors in three locations including Jung-gu District and the area around Botong River. The stores, dubbed ��Hwanggeumbeol Shops,�� sell food and sundry daily necessities, operating from 6 a.m. to midnight.

By expanding its network of stores, the business plans to open a total of 20 shops in Pyongyang by the end of spring, including ones in Moranbong District and Pyongchon District that are scheduled to be completed by February 16th--just in time for Kim Jong Il��s birthday. 

��It��s the first time a general store will be open from six in the morning to midnight. The workers involved are describing the principles behind it as ��love for the people,���� the report read. 

��The shops have extended business hours so that people can buy things they need regardless of the time, and they are being established in areas adjacent to residential sections so that people can shop near their homes,�� according to the article. 

Chosun Sinbo also reported that the Hwanggeumbeol Shops will be run as chain stores, with all branches offering the same quality, price, and service to their customers. In the future, operations will expand to offer delivery services, mobile food trucks , laundry services, as well as flight and train bookings.

The company behind the new shops will be state-run enterprise Hwanggeumbeol Trade Company, which buys in local goods in bulk for cheap prices and resells them to consumers at relatively affordable prices. Eligible for customs discounts for foreign imports, these trade enterprises also provide patrons with the opportunity to purchase outside goods at reduced costs.