[imText1]Although the people of Hwanghe province’s perception of South Korea has improved considerably, it seems their perception of China is negative.
A North Korean Research Institute, Good Friend, published an article on how North Koreans have favorable sentiments towards South Korea due to the 2000 South-North summits, Keunkang Mountain Tour, and Kaesung Industrial Complex in its newsletter, “Today’s North Korea News.”
Although the local people’s perception of South Korea has changed for the positive, the newsletter reported that they feel negatively about China. It says although people believe China has aided North Korea in the past, there is a wide perception that China no longer provides assistance to North Korea.
It was also further reported that since goods from China are worse in quality compared to South Korean assistance, and since goods hardly reach them, many people believe that China is going this intentionally.
Lee Seung Yong, a head staff member of Good Friends said, “The study of perception (sentiment)of South Koreans by North Koreans and China was done on a small scale and thus must not be used to make any generalizations. However, it is significant in that we are able to know at least how people in one particular region perceive the two countries.”
The newsletter further reported that although the price of rice has been stabilized at about 800won per 1kg of rice, there is a rumor that the price will go up to 2000won. However, in South Hwanghe Province where there are many grain storage houses, the price of rice was maintained at about 400won per kilo since last October, which is half of the cost in other areas.
Recently, in the markets in South Hwanghe Province, a bike was sold at $50-$150 each, while the average price is $20 in other areas. Revenue of selling clothes per box could be as high as 60%.
While the newsletter reported the perception of South Korea among the people of Hwanghe province has improved a lot, a representative of a defectors’ organization said, “It is true that people know of Keumkang Mountain Tour business, Kaesung Industrial Complex, and rice assistance through mouth to mouth rumors. However, the people Kaesung do not feel any improvements from the business, and they cannot even climb up Keumkang Mountain. They think the rich people from South Korea go to Keumkang Mountain, so they do not hold positive sentiments regarding it.”
He added by saying, “Positive sentiments will increase if there is transparency in the distribution of food assistance from South Korea.”
Good Friends published six editions of their newsletter, “Today’s North Korea News,” and reported immediate news such as price of rice and market situations across North Korea, and news from the border areas as well.
