Rumors are circulating in North Korea that the authorities will soon distribute wheat to ordinary people following Kim Jong Un’s return from Russia, Daily NK has learned.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, a Daily NK source in North Hamgyong Province said Monday that regular people have shown keen interest in Rodong Sinmun and KCTV reports on the schedule and results of Kim’s visit.
Daily NK found through its sources in Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province, that local residents are hoping the visit to Russia will help resolve their food shortages.
In fact, people who heard the news about the visit expressed hope that the country will receive food aid from Russia.
The source said that some people are certain that Kim successfully acquired food aid from Russia, citing past examples of assistance from the neighboring country, which is considered a “nation with which the DPRK is on good terms with.”
The rumors are also saying that a lot of Russian wheat will enter the country over the next month. In fact, some people are speculating that the authorities will give out Russian wheat to mark Party Foundation Day on Oct. 10.
“There are widespread rumors that Russia pledged to provide our country with wheat, and that when the wheat arrives sometime this month, it will immediately get sent to state-run grain shops,” the source said.
One Chongjin resident told the source that “we thought we’d starve to death since we couldn’t make money, and with even the price of corn rising to KPW 3,300 a kilogram, the future was looking bleak, but I can breathe again now that wheat is coming in from Russia.”
However, some people remain skeptical that the government will hand out food, the source said.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government planned to provide rice to people by opening up military rice stores, but that didn’t happen properly, and they didn’t even take any special measures for food-poor families. Some people say they won’t believe it until they see the wheat or receive food provisions themselves.”
Translated by David Black. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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