Stall fees at some markets in North Korea have doubled within the past year, leading to discontent among many market sellers, Daily NK has learned.<\/p>\n
According to multiple sources in North Korea on Monday, Daily NK learned that North Korean merchants pay market administrators anywhere from KPW 8,000 to KPW 20,000 or more in stall fees every day.<\/span><\/p>\n At the Ryonghung Market in Pyongyang\u2019s Taesong District, sellers are paying at least KPW 8,000 a day in stall fees to the market management office, though the actual number depends on the location and size of the booth and what they are selling.<\/span><\/p>\n The sources say the stall fee at Ryonghung Market was KPW 4,500 just one year ago, but the basic tax has nearly doubled since then.<\/span><\/p>\n Markets in other regions are collecting stall fees on a similar basis.<\/span><\/p>\n In South Pyongan Province\u2019s Onchon Market, near Nampo, merchants must pay an additional KPW 1,300 for every 10 centimeters they add to the standard 60-centimeter-by-100-centimeter stall.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, merchants pay different fees based on whether they sell foodstuffs or industrial goods, and among the latter, whether they sell daily necessities or home appliances. Generally speaking, merchants who sell foodstuffs like grains, fruits or vegetables pay only the basic stall fee, while those who sell home appliances, clothing and other industrial goods pay higher fees.<\/span><\/p>\n In particular, market management offices collect over KPW 5,000 or 6,000 more in fees for aisle booths, which are highly frequented and therefore preferred by merchants over corner booths.<\/span><\/p>\n