Struggling people in Hyesan are being squeezed by consecutive unofficial taxes for infrastructure repairs while simultaneously being forced to provide labor, intensifying financial hardship in a region already battling severe economic challenges.
“People in Hyesan have recently been hit with consecutive unofficial taxes for road and railway repairs, and their discontent has only intensified with the added requirement of labor mobilization,” a source in Ryanggang province told Daily NK recently.
According to the source, heavy rainfall in early May damaged roads throughout Ryanggang province. Hyesan’s local government responded by mobilizing workplaces and neighborhood units for repairs while covering material costs through additional fees from residents.
On the evening of May 1, neighborhood watch units held meetings and instructed each household to contribute 12,000 North Korean won toward road repairs.
“There’s a superstition here that spending money on the first day of the month brings financial burden all month long, so people typically avoid expenditures on that day,” the source said. “Imagine people’s frustration when ordered to pay on the first day.”
Just ten days later, on May 10, another fee was imposed for railway repairs. Each household was ordered to provide two 25-kilogram sacks of 25-30 millimeter diameter gravel, or pay 20,000 won in cash as an alternative.
“Each household ultimately paid 32,000 won in succession, enough to buy about four kilograms of rice at the market,” the source explained. “With people already struggling to make ends meet, these recurring financial burdens only deepen economic hardship and fuel discontent.”
Some housewives expressed frustration about being continuously squeezed for resources despite already facing significant hardship. The source noted that women who participate in neighborhood unit activities face particular strain, juggling family care with mandatory mobilizations and social obligations, leaving them with virtually no respite.
Despite regular repair work, North Korea’s infrastructure remains poor with no signs of improvement.
“During spring and summer rainy seasons, road damage is frequent, so people start worrying about mobilization or paying fees as soon as it begins to rain,” the source said. “Quality work requires proper execution, but when they just mobilize residents for superficial repairs, there’s no real chance for real improvement. It’s like pouring water into a bottomless jar, with ordinary people bearing all the burden.”
