Ordinary lives are becoming harder as a result of the military exercises being conducting now in North Korea, sources have informed Daily NK. Notably, in some areas markets have even been closed for a number of days, dealing a real blow to people who make their living through commerce and increasing inflationary pressures.
A Shinuiji-based source explained to Daily NK on the 14th, “From the 11th, when combat readiness training exercises began, and lasting for a number of days, women who had been trading in local markets were required to be in underground tunnels. That made it impossible for them to take care of their families.”
“For the time being, the jangmadang (state-sanctioned market) is closed, so only the alley markets (unofficial markets in areas around the jangmadang) and ‘grasshopper traders’ (traders who move around to avoid detection) are working,” the source went on, adding, “Needless to say, the crackdowns and controls are harsh just now.”
“People are saying that the jangmadang won’t open until next week when the South Korean training ends,” she also said, referring to the ongoing joint ROK-U.S. ‘Key Resolve’ military exercises.
Meanwhile, a second source from Hyesan in Yangkang Province noted, “Because of this military training, rice is not circulating and smuggling has gotten harder, so the price of rice has gone from 6000 to 7000 won in just a few days. People are complaining that ‘they are going to have to give food to us if they expect us to go for training. Do they want our families to starve to death in the meantime?’”
“Because of three days of training in the mountains here (recent occupation exercises), there were people with frostbitten hands, feet and even faces,” the same source added.
“Agents from the NSA (National Security Agency) and PSM (People’s Safety Ministry) tell us that ‘Raising the tension brings more enemies and impure elements out’, so they bring in more day and night patrols and enhance civilian controls and surveillance,” he said.
“People who would normally call family in South Korea and China have temporarily stopped, presuming that they would face severe punishment if caught at a time like this.”
A third source from Hoiryeong in North Hamkyung Province added the perspective from that city, saying, “Some people would just like to dig a hole in an isolated spot in the mountains and live there. In fact, there really are a few people getting ready to move to out-of-the-way areas where they might be able to avoid the official controls.”
The Shinuiju source added that due to the fact that the current military readiness exercises are unlike many of the past, a very real fear of war can be felt, with many asking, “Are you sure real war isn’t coming?”
