The behavior of North Korean officials has noticeably shifted since authorities began emphasizing the importance of “Friday labor” at central government agencies.<\/p>\n
“Before the March 14 Friday labor session, ministries and central government agencies strongly criticized workers for their lack of dedication,” a source in Pyongyang told Daily NK recently. “As a result, officials working at farms in downtown Pyongyang that day showed unprecedented effort, drawing significant attention.”<\/p>\n
Friday labor requires officials from party organizations and administrative agencies to perform physical labor at farms or factories every Friday. Traditionally, however, participating officials would often pretend to work or simply kill time until receiving their work certificates.<\/p>\n
Recently, ministries and central government agencies have cracked down on this half-hearted approach.<\/p>\n
According to the source, authorities highlighted various abuses: officials who should arrive around 9 a.m. would instead show up at 11, eat lunch, and leave around 3 p.m. after getting their work certificates, far short of proper work hours. Others would arrange for alcohol or food to be delivered, turning the sessions into social gatherings.<\/p>\n
Authorities have stressed that Friday labor isn’t merely work but a “rewarding, patriotic endeavor” that contributes to societal development while transforming officials along “revolutionary lines.”<\/p>\n
Under this increased pressure, officials’ attitudes during recent Friday labor sessions have changed dramatically.<\/p>\n
“Ministry and central government officials working on farms on March 14 showed diligence completely unlike before, surprising farm workers with their sincere participation,” the source said.<\/p>\n
Officials arrived at farms at 9 a.m., carried fertilizer boxes on their backs, and plowed fields with shovels and pickaxes\u2014behavior farm workers had never witnessed previously.<\/p>\n
They also ate simple packed lunches and engaged with farm workers, asking about challenges they faced and how officials might help.<\/p>\n
Farm workers were astonished when they saw officials staying until 5 p.m. for the first time ever.<\/p>\n
“The latest Friday labor session was important for spring farming preparations, but it was also a critical opportunity to demonstrate their revolutionary work attitude, so they seemed vigilant,” the source explained.<\/p>\n
However, farm workers remain skeptical, saying they’ll “wait and see, as you never know when the officials’ attitudes will change again,” according to the source. “Some farm workers believe officials are only working hard because they fear losing their positions if caught slacking off as before, and that they won’t maintain this effort without constant pressure.”<\/p>\n