＜Inside N. Korea＞'I'm too hungry to work'... Flood Recovery Workers Deserting Due to Starvation, Continued Government Demands for Materials and Aid from Ordinary People

At the end of July, flood relief efforts in the northern region of North Korea were carried out by mobilizing "shock troop teams" from various enterprises, but there were desertions due to lack of food supplies. Authorities announced in mid-August that 'helping flood victims is the responsibility of the Workers' Party and the state,' but they are still demanding money from ordinary North Koreans. (HONG Mari / KANG Ji-won)

◆ Deserters May Face Forced Labor

At North Korea's largest iron ore mine in Musan County, North Hamgyong Province, "shock troop teams" have also been organized and deployed for flood recovery work. However, a local reporting partner told ASIAPRESS in late August that there were problems with desertion due to insufficient food supplies.

"Some of the food rations for the Musan mine workers are being diverted to the shock troop teams, but with the fall harvest not yet underway, food is scarce. (Unable to work due to lack of food) more than 20 of the 300 mobilized have returned. Although it's the company's fault for not providing food, there is talk of using forced labor for those who deserted. Because of the lack of food, more and more people are trying to avoid mobilization."

※ The term "shock troops" refers to specialized work units mobilized for national construction projects. There are "permanent shock troop teams," selected mainly from the youth organizations of enterprises with a service period of about three years, and "temporary shock troop teams," selected for specific projects from workplaces and party members.

◆ Continued Demands for Material and Aid

In addition, there is continued pressure on North Koreans to provide materials and aid for recovery efforts and to help families who have lost their homes and belongings in the flooding.

"In addition to demands for materials such as sacks and gravel from people's units and women's associations, there are also calls for voluntary assistance to flood victims. During a political education session, five members of the women's association were praised for donating food, blankets and money to the flood victims. The idea is to follow their example, but some people wonder "who could possibly provide support.”

A reporting partner in Ryanggang Province expressed frustration that the "non-tax burdens" on people had not been alleviated.

＜Latest Flood Damage Information＞Authorities Order: "Stop Demanding Supplies from the People" - Wary of Losing Public Sentiment due to “non-tax burdens”-

◆ Full Restoration by October 10 Workers’ Party Founding Anniversary

The dilapidated northern railway linking Ryanggang and Jagang provinces had its embankments washed away in late August, leaving the prospect of reopening uncertain.

The reporting partner in Ryanggang Province said, "All other project construction has been halted, and disaster relief work has been prioritized, but it's a patchwork job that is likely to collapse when it rains."

According to the reporting partner, the Central Committee of the Workers' Party has announced that the construction of housing for flood victims must be completed by October 10, the anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, and that the people currently sheltering in Pyongyang must be returned to their original homes.

※ Non-tax burdens: North Korea has promoted itself as a country without a tax system, but in reality, there have been constant demands for money and goods due to budget shortfalls for infrastructure maintenance, school operations, and other areas. This is known as "non-tax burdens" and has caused considerable discontent among North Koreans. Kim Jong-un had issued directives to eliminate these extra burdens during the recent floods, but they continue to exist.

※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.

Recovery Work in Full Swing... But Mobilized Soldiers Begging "Please Give Us Food", Flood Victims Begin Life in Shelters