Bean collecting has become the latest
method employed by North Korea to raise foreign capital through exports, with
the state forcing people to express their “loyalty” by paying up in kidney
beans.
“Kidney beans, gathered nationwide in
farming communities, are being referred to as ‘foreign capital beans’,” a
source in North Hamkyung Province told Daily NK on Wednesday. “It’s a project
handed down from the county Party Committee, so all households must take part
in the ‘loyal foreign currency’ movement by handing in 5kg of kidney beans.”
He added, “Inminban [people’s unit] leaders go around
homes every day, morning and night, to fetch these beans, only accepting those
in perfect condition for export,” he explained. Those that are unable to produce their quota on time, or express disgruntlement, receive threats that their “loyalty will be graded on participation in the Party’s project.”
For those without a supply on hand, buying
the beans is hardly a quick fix to the problem. Kidney beans currently cost
roughly 5,000 KPW [0.63 USD] per kilogram at the markets, so acquiring the required 5kg
strips residents of 25,000 KPW [3.13 USD]. “While those with money may not consider too
taxing of a payment, the sum is far from small for ordinary residents getting
by on a day-to-day basis by farming or selling at the markets,” he said.
Still, he reported that supplies at the markets are low due to the mad rush of residents scrambling to buy the beans. Residents hit
hardest by the demand are even considering harvesting kidney beans in their
individual plots in lieu of growing more grain.
He added that the orders have riled up
residents who see it as an extension of past measures that have stripped them
clean of fish and wild vegetables, according to the source.
Meanwhile, in fall of last year, the state ordered
Chosun Democratic Women’s Union members in cities to collect castor beans,
while at schools an ongoing directive demands rabbit skins from each student–all in the name of raising foreign currency. “The state continues exploiting its own people to make money,” he lamented.
*The contents of this article were broadcast to the North Korean people via Unification Media Group.
