“Current Wage Per Month in North Korea is One Dollar”

January 20, 2006

[imText1]Last year, North Korea declared that thanks to the bumper crop that came after 10 years, the food distribution system would restart. However, within only one month, the restarted system became hazy. Greeting the New Year 2006, people in North Korea are still hungry and barely scrape a living.

Prices of Jangmadang (a kind of black market) in North Korea is an important aspect showing the real life of the North Koreans. Because production itself was almost paralyzed, North Korea has relied on China for most food and goods. Because Jangmadang has the rapidly changing value of currency and distribution, it immediately reflects the factors causing changes inside and outside.

The North Korean workers get paid 2,000 won to 3,000 won per month for their labor. However, rice prices are over 800 won, and it costs one month’s wage to buy some meat. Currently, because of the almost complete shortage of the necessary goods, the prices cannot help but rise sharply. The situation is toilsome only to the North Koreans.

Because they are experiencing such hardship, the North Koreans cannot even eat any other food except for rice, corn and vegetables. If winter arrives, the whole family is involved in providing only one set of padded clothes. In order to make some money, women usually go to market to sell some things, and men dig up medicinal herbs to sell.

The DalyNK report on the North Korean prices twice. The survey was carried out from January 2th to 10th, where Jangmadang was the object of the survey. First of all, the survey below is the prices in Moosan, Onsung, Huiryeong, Lasun, Chonjin areas of North Hamkyung Province at the arrival of the new year.

Exchange and Other Taxes

Exchange and Other Taxes
Exchange rate	Yuan 350:1 / Dollar 2,715:1 / 100Dollars: 85Euro
Electronic fee	80won per one light bulb	Occupation(a day)	250~300won
Water fee	15won per capital		General goods – 250won
Taxes per 3.3 m²	39won		Industrial goods–300won

Groceries
Rice	750won	Millet	500won
Glutinous	850won	Barley	450won
Annam rice	700won	Pork	3,000won
Chicken	3,000~4,000won(it depends on size)	Egg	150won per one
Edible oil	Yellow-1,930won per kg	Seasoning	1,500won per 500g
Edible oil	White – 1,660won	Corn	380won

Clothes and Shoes
Underwear	panties	500~1,000won	Sneakers	Home handcraft	6,000won
	Brassiere	4,000~5,000won		Private products	3,000won
Socks	500~1,000won			Made in China	12,000~17,000won
Shoes	15,000~20,000won		Handy shoes(for women)	2,000won

Housing Prices
Rental	60won per menth / Paying quarterly
Luxurious apatment	4,000~5,000dollars(99m²)	Quality apartment	3,000dollars(82.5m²)
General apartment	1,500~2,000dollars(66m²)	Small apartment	1,000~1,500dollars(49.5m²)
General single story house	800dollars	Inferior single story house	450~500dollars

Medicines
Cold remedy	20won(1pill)	Vitamin B1 injection	20won(once)
Aspirin	20won(1pill)	Amoxicillin (Antibiotics)	28won(250mm)
Anthelmintics	60won(1pill)	Santonin	120won (1pack)
Obstruent	15won(1pill)	Painkillers	15won(1pill)

– When examined, bribery is not necessary
– When getting a medical certificate or medicines, bribery is necessary
– Bribery: one box of tobacco/ as for medicines for 1,000 won, 7000 won

Stationery
Pencil	General lead pencil	25won	Notebook	Big one	25won
	Mechanical pencil	200won	Notebook	Small one	15won
	Ball pen	50~100won	School Uniform	Elementary school	1,500won
School Bag	10,000won		School Uniform	Mid and High schools	2,500won

– Every month, the following costs should be paid to schools: kindergartens – 1,000 won/ elementary schools- 2,5000 won/ middle and high schools- 4,000 won
– Every month, the following things should be provided to schools: scrap irons, glass 15kg and 40 bundles of timbers
– On an irregular basis, the following things should be provided to schools: vinyl, wastepaper, paints and gasoline

Railroad Fares
Shinuiju – Pyongyang	High class – 650won	Shinuiju – Chongjin	1,000won
	Low class – 450won
Shinuiju – Gaesung	1,000won	Shinuiju – Nampo	600won
Shinuiju – Ryongcheon	200won	Sariwon – Pyongyang	200won (low class)
Pyongyang – Dandong(Pyongyang-Beijing international train)		About 10yuan(3,300won)
Dandong – Pyongyang		400yuan

Fares of Cars and Buses
Shinuiju – Pyongsung	8,000won	Shinuiju – Jeongju	5,000won
Shinuiju – Yeomju	3,000won	Shinuiju – Wonsan	10,000won
Sariwon – Wonsan	8,000~10,000won	Sariwon – Pyongyang	1,000won
Sariwon – Pyongsung	8,000~10,000won	Sariwon – Haeju	6,000won

Accommodation Fee
Hotels	Usually 100 dollars, at minimum 60 dollars
Inns	50~100won
Private-owned inns	Less than 100~200 won / The most decent room is 500won

Fees for Travel Documents
Safeguard certificate	in a province	3,000won	Crossing-river certificate	100dollars
Safeguard certificate	Outside of a province	4,000~5,000won	Passport and visa	40,000won

Selling Stand in a Market
Depending on size, place and kinds of business	15,000~50,000won

Appliances
White-black TV	50,000~60,000won	Computer	Pentium 3	170~190dollars
Color TV	200,000won(new one)	Computer	Pentium 4	300~400dollars
Radio	Made in China – 20,000~30,000won(about 100yuan)

Prices and Phone Bills of Telephone and Mobile Phone
Telephone	Installation fee(per one)	40,000won(about $200)	Using in a postal office	Local	2won
Telephone	Rental per month	1,500won	Using in a postal office	distance	40~50won