The UN Security Council adopted ‘Resolution 2270 (which sanctions North Korea)’ on March 2, in regards to the nuclear test and ballistic missile launching by Kim Jong-un regime. It is regarded the most severe sanction. China, the biggest trading partner with North Korea, promised that they would observe earnestly the resolution. ASIA PRESS reports the effects of international sanction on North Korea by research on markets at various locations in the country. The following reports are on recent price trend compared to the ones before the nuclear test. (ISHIMARU Jiro)
Women, selling rice from China, are eating noodles. Japanese brand “Akita Komachi” is found on a packing paper. Taken at a northern border town on October 2013. (ASIA PRESS)
◆ Specifics about research
ASIA PRESS has covered North Korea with the helps from reporting partners in the country for ten years.
Even if North Hamkyung, Yanggang, North & South Pyongan, Kangwon Provinces and Pyongyang are coverable, frequent contacts are usually made with the ones in the northern part of North Korea. There are two ways of communication; either the cooperator or reporting partner comes out from North Korea to China for a business trip, or uses Chinese mobile phones provided by ASIA PRESS.
As it is now known that the state ration system has been collapsed in North Korea, most of the people procure foods and everyday items from market with cash. Chinese RMB, USD, and EURO are used along with North Korean Won. Chinese RMB is a major foreign currency near Sino–North Korea border area, while EURO and USD are commonly used in Pyongyang.
Related article: <North Korean People lament, “We’ll be done if Chinese enforce the sanctions”>
Exchange rate for foreign currency reflects actual rate. The value of North Korean Won is decided by not only the fluctuation of US Dollar but also by the fluctuation of Chinese RMB in the international currency market.
All measurements are in North Korean Won...
