An official of the Kaechon People’s CommitteeNorth Korean people's committees are akin to local governmen... More was recently subjected to a public struggle session for using his position to solicit bribes in exchange for help in obtaining jobs and admission to universities.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, a source in South Pyongan Province told Daily NK on Tuesday that the official, who works in the labor department of the people’s committeeNorth Korean people's committees are akin to local governmen... More, “faced a struggle session in late January for taking bribes for several years. The official, surnamed Kim, was in charge of job placement and university recommendations.”
According to the source, Kim ignored the state’s position or applicants’ wishes when placing people in factories or companies, arbitrarily assigning them to workplaces based on the size of their bribes. He also solicited bribes from young workers for university recommendations.
Kim openly demanded money, telling applicants to certain companies that they “need to pay more dollars because they are good jobs that others can’t apply for.”
He also brazenly demanded that applicants “collect South Korean movies, TV shows, cooking shows, and music” or “buy South Korean e-books.” He would explain that he did not want them for himself but for his wife.
As a result, some people thought that he was a “stupid husband who does whatever his wife tells him to do.”
Facing the music
Kim’s corruption came to light when a friend of his wife accused the couple of illegal behavior. Kim was then taken by local authorities to a public struggle session.
“With both hands tied, Kim was dragged in front of the struggle session at the Kaechon Cultural Center on Jan. 25,” the source said. “Participants at the struggle session harshly criticized Kim, saying that demanding South Korean movies or novels as bribes at a time of heightened tension shows in itself that he is ideologically rotten and sick.”
Kim was dismissed from his job but escaped criminal punishment. A relative who served in Unit 974, Kim Jong Un’s bodyguard unit, used their considerable influence to get Kim off the hook.
“People complained that if someone without relatives in high places had done such a thing, he would have been sent to a political prison camp. But because Kim has power and money, he was just released. They’re wondering what difference one difficult struggle session will make,” the source said.
Translated by David Black. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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