This video was filmed at a railway in North Pyongan Province in March 2013. People gathered near a dump truck and a train that were transporting coal. It would be exported to China for its final destination. Residents were there to collect coal that had fallen from the truck, a train, and a car. Women collected coal powder left on the ground by using a brush or a spoon. Whenever a dump truck stopped some would climb on to the back of the truck and then drop out coal.
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An ASIAPRESS reporting partner approached an old woman picking up coal powder. She collects two buckets of coal a day. A bucket of coal was sold at 5,000 Won (around 0.40 USD at the time of filming), which is five times higher than monthly wages at an ordinary state-owned company. It is beyond reasonable that a number of residents gather to diligently pick up coal.
Related article: [Video Report] Back alley of Pyongyang: Never let foreigners go. Residents of central Pyongyang live on businesses in the market
* Editor’s notes on North Korean reporters
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