In a response to North Korea’s fourth
nuclear test, the international community is set to intensify sanctions. As a
result, North Korean factories have been instructed to increase the proportion
of materials acquired from domestic sources to be used in the production
process. Pyongyang’s Taedonggang Foodstuff Factory has been instructed to
undertake a “flavor revolution” of its Pyongyang Red Pepper Paste, but has not
received ingredients from the state to do so, so it has been forced to turn to
the donjuLiterally "masters of money," donju refers to people who hav... More [the money masters, or nouveau riche].
In a recent phone call with the Daily NK,
an inside source from South Pyongan Province said, “After the alleged hydrogen
bomb test and the expected economic sanctions to follow from countries such as
the United States, the Taedonggang Foodstuff Factory gave instructions to its
employees in the importance of developing self-reliance. The instructions
explained that just as the hydrogen bomb test shocked the world, the production
of red pepper paste would need to undergo a shocking revolution in flavor.”
A source in the capital corroborated this
news.
She continued, “During times like this, when ‘adversaries attempt to isolate and weaken North Korea through economic means,’ Party cadres have insisted on the importance of increasing the capacity and
role of domestic technologies and production methods. The cadres emphasize the
need to improve the quality of domestically manufactured foodstuffs like
alcohol, beverages, red pepper paste, soy sauce, etc. such that the products
will even be able to compete with popular brands on the international
marketplace.”
Starting in January, the food factories
began implementing an order requiring them to mix the traditional flavor of
Pyongyang Glutinous Red Pepper Paste with the latest technologies to produce the
most delicious fermented food product possible. However, the factories were not
provided with the essential ingredients for the red pepper paste (rice, red
peppers, oil, starch syrup) from the central leadership. Instead, they were
ordered to “rack their brains” to find their own sources.
“In such a context, the producers have no
other choice but to fall back on donjuLiterally "masters of money," donju refers to people who hav... More to help procure these essential
ingredients. Ryongsong Foodstuff Factory was guaranteed delivery of the red
peppers, rice, oil, etc, but the ordinary food factories were left out in the
cold. They will need to use their own credit to purchase the ingredients from
donjuLiterally "masters of money," donju refers to people who hav... More and pay them back after they begin to sell the product,” the source
explained.
After purchasing the raw ingredients for
the red pepper paste in the market, the factories make the product and sell it
to wholesalers, who in turn bring it to the marketplace. It is sold in 500 gram
containers similar to South Korean red pepper paste in design and costs about
KPW 4,000 – KPW 5,000 (approximately US $0.55).
“The initial word about the product’s
quality is good,” she said. “Residents have remarked that not only does it
taste sweet and have a nice, glutinous texture, but it is also less salty than the
existing North Korea-made pepper paste. The new red pepper paste is therefore
selling like johnny cakes here in North Korea and has even been exported for
sale in China.”
It appears as if the new flavor of the
Pyongyang Red Pepper Paste is a direct imitation of the South Korean style,
which is a delicious combination of sweet and tangy that has really caught on
north of the border. The packaging of the product is even similar to the South
Korean equivalents, so some people have gotten confused looking at the labels,
unable to tell whether the product is from the North or South.
When asked about the residents’ reaction to
this development, the source said, “People are saying, ‘Thanks to the regime’s
nuclear test and the sanctions coming down on us, we ordinary folks are going
to have to work extra hard to solve these problems for ourselves.’ Others said,
‘If even red pepper factories are being told to turn to the donjuLiterally "masters of money," donju refers to people who hav... More to invest,
what are the heavy industry factories going to do? Instead of firing off
hydrogen bombs, isn’t it the responsibility of the regime to help our factories
and our economy?”
