Mother reports daughter for watching S. Korean media, shocking N. Korean workers
Three female workers in their 20s from the Sinyang Export Clothing Factory in South Pyongan Province were recently caught watching South Korean dramas and listening to South Korean music. They were subsequently arrested and subjected to an ideological struggle meeting at the factory. Shockingly, one of the women was reported by her own mother, who provided detailed information about her daughter’s activities. The authorities praised the mother’s actions as exemplary, citing the law against reactionary thought and culture. This incident has caused significant controversy among factory workers, with some expressing disbelief at the mother’s actions and others showing sympathy for her difficult position. Three women are still under investigation and may face severe punishment, including potential long-term labor re-education sentences, due to the strict enforcement of laws against consuming foreign media in North Korea.
Read original article in Korean by Eun Seol here.
N. Korean women balk at “reward” trips they must pay for themselves
North Korean authorities have organized sightseeing trips to Pyongyang and other famous locations as a reward for members of the Korean Socialist Women’s Union who have contributed to various construction projects. However, this gesture has backfired, causing discontent among the women. The main issue is that the participants are required to pay for these trips themselves, with costs reaching around KPW 300,000 (approximately USD 20). Many women find this burdensome, especially after having already contributed unpaid labor and resources to construction efforts. Some are even requesting to be excluded from the reward program. The trips include visits to ideological sites, which further adds to the women’s frustration. This situation has led to criticism of both local authorities and the broader North Korean government for exploiting women’s labor under the guise of voluntary participation.
Read original article in Korean by Seon Hwa here.
N. Korean coastal park doubles fees, residents cry foul
The recently renovated Rajin-Sonbong City Coastal Park in North Korea has doubled its admission fees for some attractions, including amusement rides, a 4D cinema, a zoo, and an outdoor water park. The city’s local government justifies this temporary price hike, effective from July 20 to the end of August, citing increased maintenance costs due to higher visitor numbers and the need for improved services. While officials claim the increase is unavoidable due to rising prices in the area and promise to use the additional revenue for facility upkeep, many local residents view the move negatively. They argue that the new fees are disproportionate to their salaries and suspect the local government of trying to extract more money from them.
Read original article in Korean by Jeong Seo Yeong here.
N Korean “fire sellers” profit from flood victims’ misery
Recent flooding along North Korea’s Yalu River has given rise to a surge in “fire sellers” – entrepreneurs who profit from flood victims’ inability to cook due to wet firewood. These individuals set up portable stoves in affected areas of North Pyongan Province, charging people KPW 1,500 (about USD 0.19) to cook rice and KPW 1,200 for soup preparation. This practice, which has evolved over the past few years as economic hardships have increased, has sparked mixed reactions among locals. While some appreciate the opportunity to have hot meals despite the cost, others criticize it as exploitation during a crisis. The widespread flooding this year has led to a boom in this informal business, highlighting both the economic desperation and entrepreneurial spirit in North Korea, as well as the inadequate disaster response infrastructure.
Read original article in Korean by Seon Hwa here.
N. Korean woman killed hours after receiving money from defector relative
A shocking incident in North Korea’s Erang County, North Hamgyong Province, has highlighted the dangers faced by those receiving money from relatives who have defected. A woman in her 60s was stabbed to death by an intruder just hours after receiving RMB 9,000 (approximately USD 1,250) from her family member who had escaped to South Korea. Local authorities suspect the attacker knew about the money transfer and attempted to rob the victim. The woman’s sister discovered her body and alerted officials, but the perpetrator remains at large. This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the community, underscoring the precarious situation many North Koreans face. A local source described the current climate as one where “if you don’t have money, you barely survive, and if you do have money, you have to protect your life from robbers.” The incident also points to broader social issues, with some attributing such crimes to desperate youth facing food shortages, emphasizing the need for the state to address basic survival needs to reduce societal instability.
N. Korea deploys military as floods hit more provinces
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued an urgent military order on July 27 to dispatch troops to flood-affected areas in South Hwanghae, Chagang, and Gangwon provinces, just a day before his personal visit to flood sites in North Pyongan Province. The order mobilized various military units, including engineering battalions, to assist with rescue operations, infrastructure repair, and provision of supplies to flood victims. Despite these efforts, negative impacts from the flood damage continue to emerge in the affected areas. Local authorities have instructed officials to house displaced residents, but many citizens express frustration with the government’s response, citing recurring flood issues and perceived inequalities in who suffers from such disasters. Some people criticize the state for focusing on short-term solutions rather than addressing fundamental flood prevention measures.
N. Korea orders weekly study of Kim Il Sung’s legacy in July
North Korea issued a directive mandating weekly studies of Kim Il Sung’s revolutionary achievements throughout July, following the 30th anniversary of his death. According to a source in North Pyongan Province, the order aims to observe the “month of greatest national mourning” solemnly. The study sessions focus on Kim’s political ideology of “people-first” and his leadership in realizing the people’s dreams. The directive emphasizes Kim’s role in establishing the Workers’ Party and his reliance on the masses. It concludes by connecting Kim’s legacy to current leader Kim Jong Un’s policies, urging citizens to support the regime’s continued focus on politics centered on the people. Officials are expected to deepen their understanding of Kim’s ideology and recommit to developing North Korean-style socialism, while the general population is encouraged to elevate their political consciousness and better follow the party’s leadership.
