◆Main Concern: Will Their Impoverished Lives Actually Improve?
North Korea celebrated its 77th founding anniversary on September 9. Reporting partner A reported that there was another lecture meeting on September 8, where propaganda about Kim Jong-un's greatness was heavily promoted, with claims that "we've made our republic the strongest country in the world."
A few days after the China visit, on September 9, A shared how people around her were reacting:
"The mood among locals who attended the documentary screening and propaganda sessions was that their hard lives would soon end, that things would get better if they could just hold on a little longer. But once they go home, everyone's back to worrying about their next meal. One person I know said, 'They've been promising for over 10 years that we'd live well soon - how much longer do we have to wait?'"
According to A, many people expressed hope that this China visit would improve relations and boost trade. In fact, in Hyesan city, one of the North Korea’s trade hubs with China, there have been reports of visits by Chinese trade representatives, indicating moves toward expanding trade.
Even after North Korea relaxed its zero-COVID policies in 2023, strict controls on individual economic activity continue, keeping urban residents in poverty. Most citizens who viewed Kim Jong-un's China visit footage positively seem to be hoping it will lead to better living conditions.
※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.
