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.
