Unification Media Group (UMG): It’s time for another weekly update and we’re back with Kang Mi Jin to hear about the newest social and economic trends in North Korea. Reporter Kang, what’s the latest?
Kang Mi Jin (Kang): The harvest of wheat, barley and potatoes is reportedly supplementing the diets of farmers in North Korea. Sources in Ryanggang Province that there was a harvest of wheat, barley and potatoes during mid-June and the state has given a months’ worth of food to farmers that survived the farming hardship period [the period right before the harvest].
In the 2000s, the North Korean State Academy of Agriculture and the Sciences produced seeds that grow faster as a way to solve the country’s food shortages. Farmers were able to avoid the worst of the food shortages in June and July because of these seeds.
Barley and wheat are typically harvested at the end of May in the inner-regions of North and South Pyongan and Hwanghae Provinces, while North and South Hamgyong Provinces and Ryanggang Province typically harvest them in early or mid-June. Potatoes are harvested at the same time and have reduced the concern over food shortages during the farm hardship period.
UMG: This is fortunate for North Korean farmers who are suffering from chronic food shortages. Could you explain in more detail about the kinds of seeds that are harvested early in North Korea?
Kang: The barley seeds produced in North Korea can be harvested within 70 days after planting. So in about two months and ten days, farmers can harvest and eat the barley. Barley was planted in the fall of last year so the roots “hibernate” under the ground during the winter. When spring comes, the roots come alive and develop. Barley can normally be harvested after 110 days, but North Korea’s scientists have made efforts to reduce this period.
Potatoes are also generally harvested after 110 days. But there are now seeds that can be harvested in just 80 days. Seeds with shorter developmental stages tended to be more starchy, so they used to dry quickly or the exterior would turn black and make it difficult to store. But these limitations have been improved and farmers can now eat better quality potatoes.
UMG: Let’s dive into other news. North Korean authorities are placing emphasis on the improvement of public services like orphanages and schools for orphans. What can you tell us about that?
Kang: Checkpoints have been established at orphanages and schools for orphans throughout the country and they thoroughly check the identities of all those entering the facilities. Sources in North Korea said that the frequent disappearances of orphans at the border (with China) has led to action from the central authorities.
These sources said that orphanages are investigating and taking action toward orphans who wander around the streets or markets and are sending them to orphanages to be taken care of. There are sometimes cases where orphans are unable to handle life in the orphanages and so they run away. The authorities have established guard houses at the facilities to prevent this from happening.
UMG: You mentioned that there were cases of orphans disappearing on the border, which led to these actions by the authorities. What kinds of cases have occurred?
Kang: Sources reported that disappearances occur all the time near the border and in the inner-regions of the country. These cases involve orphans escaping to China or South Korea with the help of defectors in China. The government measures are aimed at preventing this from happening.
The state is now making it a priority to provide food and electricity to orphanages, according to the sources. Schools for orphans are also providing age-appropriate education. North Korea is apparently taking action over the issues raised by the UN concerning human rights abuses toward children; the state is placing orphans wandering around into facilities and giving them age-appropriate education.
According to the sources with whom I spoke, guardhouses have been established at orphanages, and the children are faced with restrictions on leaving the facilities; however, the conditions within the facilities, such as the food and level of medical care, has reportedly improved substantially.
UMG: There’s still lots of work to be done but it seems that North Korean orphans are being better taken care of. How are the country’s markets going?
Kang: As I investigated the state of the markets, it became apparent that the lives of North Koreans in general is improving. There are differences between the regions, but there has been an increase in the purchase of electric products.
North Korean women have recently shown great interest in food mixers, one North Korean source reported. I investigated the electric products being sold in markets in the country, and there are a large number of such products like electric irons, boiling pots, measures, all-purpose automatic batteries, and dryers – a much larger selection than there was in the early 2010s.
For some, their lives are gradually getting better. But there are still many who are suffering in poverty. Many are suffering even more than before and this is a result of the widening gap between the rich and poor.
UMG: Wrinkle removers are also popular among South Korean women. It’s amazing to hear that they sell well in North Korea as well.
Kang: Yes, many young women buy them. Business people understand that many women are interested in taking care of their skin and are importing all kinds of electric skin beautification products.
Sources also said that solar panels are being used to generate electricity which makes it easy for North Koreans to make a cup of tea when guests arrive unannounced at their home. The greater supply of electricity allows them to use electric products like electric irons more frequently than ever before.
There are more North Koreans who are using electric products and this is leading to an improvement in their lives.
