2018/Aug/1
Recently it seems as if North Koreans’ opinion of Kim Jong-un had improved and Kim had succeeded in strengthening his authority after talks with China, South Korea, and the United States. However, it has been reported that since July discontent with the regime is growing. The Ordinary North Koreans are becoming increasingly frustrated with the unresolved economic challenges and poor living conditions. (ISHIMARU Jiro)
On April 27, an inter-Korean summit was held at Panmunjom. North Koreans watched Kim Jong-un cross the Military Demarcation Line into the South and shake hands with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in a day after the summit. When asked for their thoughts on this matter, the ASIAPRESS reporting partners said,
"I was moved."
"Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has great courage for entering enemy territories."
"This will make life better."
"The South will help us."
Most people expressed joy and heightened expectations. Kim Jong-un’s standing in North Korea was greatly boosted after he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping three times and with U.S. President Donald Trump on June 12 for the US-NK summit.
However, in the three months since the Panmunjom summit, discontent has spread in North Korea due to a lack of visible change and continued economic deterioration.
Next page: Expectations in Pyongyang have dwindled...
