＜Inside N. Korea＞ Kim Jong-un's tourist zone project hits financial troubles

Kim Jong-un visiting the construction site at Samjiyeon during a snowstorm. From the Korean Central Television, October 2018.

◆ Shortage of funds due to economic sanctions

This is like a commendation for a person who has donated money to a particular project. A reporting partner explained as follows:

"A person who donates to the Samjiyeon Construction Political Office will receive a ‘donation certificate’ issued by the Party Committee through the person's affiliated organization or company. The certificate is a red A4-sized piece of paper that contains the portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the donor's name and the amount donated."

'Donation certificates' are similar to pardons. Even criminals may be released depending on the amount donated. For this reason, an increasing number of people are interested in donating, according to the reporting partner.

"More and more newly established trade institutions and donju (nouveau riche) are making donations to avoid prosecution. But people without money or family are not interested in donating to the Samjiyeon construction project,” said the reporting partner.

※ Trade companies and donju often face punishment by the authorities because they frequently engage in illegal acts to make money.

The Samjiyeon tourist zone construction is a high-priority state project that was initiated after Kim Jong-un issued orders at the end of 2016 to "turn the scared site of revolution into a first-class international tourist destination". Throughout 2018,ordinary North Koreans from all over the country have been mobilized for the construction work, and the demand for construction materials and funds has increased. But mobilized workers have been venting their frustrations as they now face a greater burden.

It is apparent that the Kim Jong-un regime's shortage of funds is worsening due to economic sanctions, as it is handing out pardons in return for donations.

※ ASIAPRESS contacts its reporting partners by taking Chinese mobile phones into North Korea.