Tag: hyesan
Hyesan school shifts cooking exam costs to students
A technical senior middle school* in Hyesan, Ryanggang province, is drawing parent complaints over a new requirement. Students in its hotel cuisine class had...
N. Korea border guard duty loses its appeal as bribes dry...
Attitudes inside North Korea toward serving in the border guard have shifted completely. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, soldiers could collect bribes for turning a...
N. Korea rice prices hit record high as exchange rate climbs
Rice prices in North Korean markets have surged to a record high in July 2026. The spike follows a brief lull earlier this month,...
Purged military official’s graft case sparks outrage among North Koreans
North Korean people are calling for a sweeping investigation into corruption across the country's power organs. A senior military official's dramatic public downfall sparked...
In China, North Koreans hear they’re the poor ones
North Korean authorities boast of the country's rising international standing. But in 2026, a very different story is spreading among North Korean people in...
North Korea pushes fourth weeding round, straining mobilized workers
North Korean authorities are demanding a fourth round of rural weeding this year, up from the usual three, mobilizing workplaces, neighborhood units and students...
North Korea rice prices drop nearly 20%
Rice prices in North Korean markets fell by nearly 20% in early July 2026, a Daily NK survey found, as seasonal supplies of alternative...
Smugglers in Hyesan take up Chinese lessons
North Korean smugglers in their 30s and 40s are rushing to learn Chinese in 2026. The trend is driven by a string of financial...
North Korea vehicle smuggling stalls after fee hike
North Korea has restarted state-led smuggling along its border with China. But vehicle smugglers say a sudden fee hike has brought their business to...
Homemade beer outsells state brands in North Korea
North Korea beer is losing out at home to homemade craft brews and Chinese imports. Even so, the country's state trading companies are pushing...
