Citing a knowledgeable source, the Japanese daily Asahi Shinbun reported the story from Beijing on Tuesday. The report said that Pyongyang had never skipped the April 15 handout even during the late 1990s, when the country's food shortages were at their worst.

With the discount coupons, North Koreans can buy 1 kilogram of cookies for 110 North Korean won (the official exchange rate is $1=2.2 won, but on black markets $1 is exchanged for 200-220 won) a pair of sneakers for 100 won and a pair of sandals for 30 won. The story did not provide regular prices for the items, but said that the market price for 1 kilogram of rice in North Korea was around 140 won.

The Japanese daily said that the measure mirrors the economic reform efforts Pyongyang has been making since last year, as well as its poor economic conditions. Pyongyang had distributed eggs and grains on Kim Il-sung's birthday, a practice that observers say is done to keep its system stable. (Jung Gwon-hyeon, khjung@chosun.com )