As the landmark Party Congress in North Korea gets underway, anticipation among the residents is mounting not for the event
itself, but for the distribution of gifts rumored to accompany it. A
recent announcement by Kim Jong Un telling all families to, “feel the
consideration of the Party at the time of this deeply meaningful 7th Party
Congress” has further fanned the flames of these rumors.
The Party, seeking to create buzz and build anticipation,
had ordered residents to mobilize to distribute gifts ahead of the Congress for
the purpose of boosting popular support through giftpolitik, a source in South
Pyongan Province told Daily NK on May 3, noting that word on the ground is that
the lavishness of these gifts will eclipse those distributed in the past.
Sources in Pyongyang and North Pyongan Province confirmed
this news.
Rumors are also circulating that flat-screen televisions
will be distributed to individual members of the teams with the most
outstanding performances during the intense labor period of the “70-Day Battle” that had been underway since the end of February. Anticipation is building as
residents entertain the possibility of new appliances being received after
their lengthy mobilization.
Daily NK’s source reported that express trains carrying
imported goods have been recently seen headed for Pyongyang in frequent
intervals (daily) and the roads are busy with grain trucks reserved for ration
distribution, sparking public interest. For those invited to personally attend
the convention, rumors of 45-inch high-quality flat screen televisions,
refrigerators, computers, and other high-end products coming their way have
been circulating.
The regime had evidently been focusing on creating a festive
atmosphere ahead of the Congress, holding all-night political and cultural
events, the source explained, adding that train stations in each province were also holding large welcoming events for the attendees of the Congress.
Nevertheless, these efforts by the Party may likely backfire
to some extent. If the distribution of goods is limited, people will not be
surprised, as this is the usual state of affairs. Even if the goods are widely
distributed, there will be complaints as to why the Party has been failing to
distribute regular food rations.
Despite the anticipation bubbling under the surface, the
source said, “Most would just be happy if the Congress could resolve the public
distribution problems.”
“Many are also pointing out that any gifts from the Party
would be the product of their own blood, sweat and tears during the ‘70-Day
Battle’ anyway, and therefore inadequate reparation for the suffering endured,”
the source added.
Perhaps in an attempt to hedge such negative opinions, North
Korea declared a five-day holiday– “a gift from Kim Jong Un offering respite
to lift spirits and ensure the success of the 7th Party Congress,” the source
surmised.
A separate mandate made clear that during the resting
period, it is mandatory to watch the Party Congress on television.
