The people’s committeeNorth Korean people's committees are akin to local governmen... More of Kangwon Province recently distributed ski resort tickets to government agencies, enterprises and schools in the province. Many people are complaining, however, that the authorities are essentially forcing them to buy ski tickets they do not want.
A source in Kangwon Province told Daily NK on Friday that the people’s committee sent the dates of operation of ski resorts in the province to government agencies, enterprises and schools after “holding a meeting to discuss how to better use the ski resorts.”
The meeting was held after the central government instructed provinces with ski resorts to resume operations of the sites. The government also ordered the distribution of tickets “so that the people can have fun in their lives.”
The central government appears to hope this ticket distribution will generate excitement at the start of 2023 and demonstrate the love of the people by the “nation and Workers’ Party.”
During the recent meeting held by Kangwon Province’s people’s committeeNorth Korean people's committees are akin to local governmen... More, provincial leaders called on workplaces to keep spirits up, saying they need to “repay the love of the Workers’ Party — which wants ski resorts to be full of the people’s laughter” — even if this means having to buy the tickets.
In fact, the province practically forced the ski tickets on local government agencies, enterprises and schools for KPW 90,000 a ticket for adults and KPW 45,000 for minors. The move has led to complaints among many people in the province.
Some people are asking why they would want to go to a ski resort in the frigid winter given there would be no heated facilities, while others have accused the government of “trying to make money in the middle of winter by taking the people’s money with forced ticket sales, since people will be left to themselves to use the ski resorts given that times are tough.”
Daily NK’s source explained that “the government is telling people to make ski resorts — places of culture and relaxation for the people — come alive and prosper, but people are openly criticizing this for putting the horse behind the cart, asking how they can enjoy ski resorts when they are starving with no food.”
Tickets for the ski resort have already been distributed to government agencies, enterprises and schools, “so people need to pay and go, even if this means borrowing money to do so,” he added.
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