{"id":3969,"date":"2018-11-20T14:36:22","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T05:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=3969"},"modified":"2018-11-29T11:30:20","modified_gmt":"2018-11-29T02:30:20","slug":"indulgence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2018\/11\/news\/indulgence\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cInside N. Korea\uff1e Kim Jong-un's tourist zone project hits financial troubles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kim Jong-un inspects the Samjiyeon construction site. From the Korean Central Television, July 2018.<\/p><\/div>\n

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2018\/Nov<\/span><\/span>\/14<\/em><\/p>\n

\u25c6Criminals buy freedom with money<\/h2>\n

It has been reported that donations are being requested from a large number of residents in order to secure funds for the construction of the Samjiyeon Special Tourist Zone, a project that is being pushed by Kim Jong-un. If a large enough amount of money is donated, even criminal sentences can be reduced. Although struggling to raise funds, the Kim Jong-un regime is aiming to complete the construction at all costs. (Kang Ji-won \/ ISHIMARU Jiro)<\/p>\n

Multiple reporting partners living in northern Yanggang Province reported the following information from late October to November.<\/p>\n

\"The authorities are encouraging donations for the Samjiyeon construction project. There was a case in which one million won (about 105 USD) was paid to have a family member\u2019s sentence at a correctional labor camp (prison) reduced by three years. Also, a 48-year-old individual by the name of Kim, who was sentenced to death for human trafficking, had a 12-year sentence shortened and was released in September after family members donated five million won (about 529 USD).\u201d<\/p>\n

\u203bIn North Korea, on the Day of the Foundation of the Republic (September 9), a nationwide special pardon is issued and convicted criminals can have their sentences reduced by three years.<\/p>\n

Next page: Shortage of funds due to economic sanctions...<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Kim Jong-un visiting the construction site at Samjiyeon during a snowstorm. From the Korean Central Television, October 2018.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u25c6 Shortage of funds due to economic sanctions<\/h2>\n

This is like a commendation for a person who has donated money to a particular project. A reporting partner explained as follows:<\/p>\n

\"A person who donates to the Samjiyeon Construction Political Office will receive a \u2018donation certificate\u2019 issued by the Party Committee through the person's affiliated organization or company. The certificate is a red A4-sized piece of paper that contains the portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the donor's name and the amount donated.\"<\/p>\n

'Donation certificates' are similar to pardons. Even criminals may be released depending on the amount donated. For this reason, an increasing number of people are interested in donating, according to the reporting partner.<\/p>\n

\"More and more newly established trade institutions and donju (nouveau riche) are making donations to avoid prosecution. But people without money or family are not interested in donating to the Samjiyeon construction project,\u201d said the reporting partner.<\/p>\n

\u203b Trade companies and donju often face punishment by the authorities because they frequently engage in illegal acts to make money.<\/p>\n

The Samjiyeon tourist zone construction is a high-priority state project that was initiated after Kim Jong-un issued orders at the end of 2016 to \"turn the scared site of revolution into a first-class international tourist destination\". Throughout 2018,ordinary North Koreans from all over the country have been mobilized for the construction work, and the demand for construction materials and funds has increased. But mobilized workers have been venting their frustrations as they now face a greater burden.<\/p>\n

It is apparent that the Kim Jong-un regime's shortage of funds is worsening due to economic sanctions, as it is handing out pardons in return for donations.<\/p>\n

\u203b ASIAPRESS contacts its reporting partners by taking Chinese mobile phones into North Korea.<\/p>\n

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