Pyongyang loosens market restrictions, to contain revolts
Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Pyongyang has loosened restrictions on it’s internal markets. A decision taken by the Communist leadership to calm the minds of an increasingly hungry and angry population for the chaos generated by the currency change. This was revealed by a South Korean Institute intelligence, according to which "signs of this type arise in different areas of the country." Meanwhile, the "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il has fired his trusted manager in charge of his personal assets, because he has been blacklisted by the EU.
A spokesman for the National Intelligence Service (NIS) told AFP that leadership of the Communist regime "can no longer ignore the demands of the people." In recent years, the dictatorship has launched a series of repressive actions on street markets, in an apparent attempt to regain control of the national economy.
On 30 November 2009 a currency reform was launched that virtually wiped-out the capital raised by small savers as well as worsened the humanitarian crisis. Stocks of food and essential goods are increasingly unavailable, so that the population had to resort to bartering.
Good Friends, the South Korean aid group active in the North, reports that the price of rice has increased fivefold in some areas of the country. Cho Bong-Hyun, of the Institute for Economic Research IBK, confirms that the "monetary reform has failed" and North Korea must take a step back and ensure a "free market".
Daily NK, an on-line South Korean newspaper, adds that several North Korean sources have confirmed "the removal of restrictions on market access" in the north-eastern provinces of Yanggang and Hamkyong. A decision has been helped reduce the price of rice.
Meanwhile, the "Dear Leader" has changed managers involved in the management of his personnel assets. He has apparently dismissed Kim Dong-un, head of Unit 39 because blacklisted by the EU, under the economic sanctions imposed against the regime. His place was taken by Jon Il-Chun.
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