As North Korea approached the autumn harvest holiday of
Chuseok on September 27, market activity greatly increased, according to inside
reports. Rason’s market opened at 4 am to accommodate residents on their way to
perform grave rites for relatives. Some vendors at the scene were selling a
rice wine called makgeolli.
In a telephone conversation with the Daily NK on September
24th, one source in North Pyongan Province said, “The market threw its doors
open at the crack of dawn. Every nook and cranny of the market was covered with
vendors manning their display stands. They were selling items such as dried
squid, peanuts, fruit, and Korean sausages. People buy a wide assortment of
foods and arrange them on a table in remembrance of deceased ancestors”
An additional source in the same province and a source in
South Pyongan Province confirmed this news.
“Things have changed a lot. In years past, people would
prepare many or even most of the foods at home, including time intensive foods
like tteok (glutinous rice cake). These days people simply bring a skewer and
buy everything at the market on their way to perform the grave rites,” she said.
According to the source, there is a general trend among
residents of reducing the amount of foods prepared in the home in favor of
simply buying what they need.
“As time goes on, less people feel the need. Why expend all
that energy to make tteok? The market has answered this demand by providing
various foods,” she pointed out.
“Additionally, less people are drinking alcohol in their
homes as time goes on. Instead, they favor patronizing covered street stalls.
Especially now that women have joined the workforce, there’s been a
proportionate decrease in the home preparation of complicated dishes.”
Significantly, there’s been a trend towards turning a cold
shoulder towards some of the nationalistic elements of Chuseok, which are
espoused by the regime. Residents are looking at the holiday instead as a way
to reconnect with family members and enjoy each others’ company.
“Residents are meeting up with family members near the grave
sites to eat bulgogi. Everyone is putting aside worries about mobilization
calls associated with the approaching Korean Workers’ Party Foundation Day on
October 10th because they want to focus on enjoying this short break while it
lasts,” the source said.
“People are focusing on taking care of their ancestors and
trying to create an atmosphere of comfort and peace. Instead of life revolving
around service to Kim Jong Un and the Party leaders, people are devoting
themselves to the benefit and welfare of their family and friends.”
*The content of this article was broadcast to the North Korean people via Unification Media Group.
