◆Left with little choice, citizens learn to steal electricity from the government
While their leader met with President Trump in Hanoi, North Korean citizens were left in the dark- unsure if an agreement had been made to bring an end to sanctions. With negotiations breaking down, however, North Korean citizens will be left in the dark once more- this time, literally.
According to a survey conducted by ASIAPRESS reporting partners in January and February, residents in the northern provinces of North Korea have been living without electricity, almost entirely, since November of last year. While government agencies and important industrial facilities have been guaranteed electricity, residential areas across Yanggang Province and North Hamkyung Province have remained pitch black. In addition, most areas in North Pyongan Province, apart from Sinuiju City, have been without electricity as well.
According to a reporting partner, “There is total darkness at night. Electricity isn’t supplied to these regions- not even 1 second’s worth. Some people manage to steal electricity from the government agencies, while others are bribing officials for it.”
Collecting information for ASIAPRESS, most reporting partners found that bribes for electricity in Yanggang and North Hamkyung Province typically amounted to 20,000 North Korean won per month (about 2.5 USD).
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