◆Affordable Railways, but Power Shortages Make Hyesan-Pyongyang Trip 3 Days
Next, let us examine the fares for public transportation—buses and trains.
When city bus fares were investigated in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, and Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, the fare was uniform at 700 won. For long-distance buses, fares on the Hyesan-Kilju route were investigated, and they fluctuate between 30,000–50,000 won depending on fuel price changes.
Railways operate at fixed state-set prices by route. Even on the same Hyesan-Kilju route, railways are far cheaper than long-distance buses. North Korean railways rely primarily on electric locomotives and frequently suffer delays and service suspensions due to power shortages. The approximately 700-kilometer journey from Hyesan to Pyongyang typically takes 2.5–3 days.
◆Free Medical Care System Abolished; Internal Medicine Consultation Fee 5,000 Won, Surgery 3,000 Won
What has become of North Korea's once-celebrated free medical care system? According to reporting partners in Ryanggang Province and North Hamgyong Province, the free medical care system has disappeared and has been replaced with a system in which patients bear costs. Upon receiving a consultation, the fee is 5,000 won for internal medicine and 3,000 won for surgery. When receiving treatment, undergoing surgery, or purchasing medication, additional fees must be paid.
Workers are required to enroll in health insurance (health insurance fund) at their enterprise. Two percent of monthly wages is deducted, according to reports. When this was implemented is still being investigated. According to a reporting partner in Ryanggang Province, patients' personal information and insurance enrollment status are all registered in hospital computers.
For those without employment, insurance enrollment is voluntary. According to reporting partners, the government is promoting enrollment by advertising benefits such as the ability to receive treatment at major Pyongyang hospitals.
"People with economic means generally are enrolling. Initially, enrollment was possible even with a medical history, but now the enrollment procedures have become more complicated, according to what I've heard. If I have extra money, I'm thinking of enrolling too. However, many Korean people have the mentality that 'if I get sick, so be it,' so rather than relying on insurance, they secretly seek treatment through folk remedies."
※ The above prices are based on May and June figures and may have risen after July.
※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.
■［List of Series］North Korea's Economy Seen Through a Large-Scale Price Survey
