December 02, 2011 13:33
The price of rice in North Korea is skyrocketing, contrary to received wisdom that it drops after the harvest season. According to a source on North Korea on Wednesday, the rice price has risen from 2,400 won a kg in early October to 5,000 won in late November.
North Korean workers earn only 3,000-4,000 won per month.
This unusual hike in rice price seems to be related to preparation of next year's political propaganda projects.
A South Korean government official said, "It seems the North Korean government is not releasing rice harvested this year in order to save it up" for celebrations of regime founder Kim Il-sung's centenary next year, when the North has vowed to become "a powerful and prosperous nation."
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