{"id":4275,"date":"2019-07-17T15:33:24","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T06:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4275"},"modified":"2019-08-13T17:49:03","modified_gmt":"2019-08-13T08:49:03","slug":"sudden-gold-rush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2019\/07\/society-economy\/sudden-gold-rush\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cInside N. Korea\uff1e Regime Strikes Gold: Authorities Lock Horns with Locals in Sudden Gold Rush"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Photo) A young man pans for gold in a mineral refinery. Photograph taken in October, 2008 in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province by Shim Ui Chun (ASIAPRESS)<\/p><\/div>\n

The discovery of large amounts of gold dust in a northern river is said to have triggered a sudden \u201cgold rush\u201d, with local authorities, farmers, and workers in a scramble for riches.<\/p>\n

According to a reporting partner in Ryanggang Province, who spoke with ASIAPRESS on July 4, the discovery of gold dust was made during the building of a hydroelectric power plant in Dancheon City, South Hamkyung Province, when water was temporarily diverted from upstream areas for construction purposes.
\nNext page : \u25c6 Financially stretched regime looks to\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

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(Photo) A woman panning for gold. There are some who pan for their own profit and some who are hired illegally in groups to pan for gold. In addition, there are independent traders. Photograph taken in October, 2008 in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province by Shim Ui Chun (ASIAPRESS)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 Financially stretched regime looks to exclude residents from profits<\/h2>\n

State institutions in North Korea are suffering financial difficulties due to the international community\u2019s economic sanctions. As such, Ryanggang Province\u2019s Workers\u2019 Party organizations, police, and local prosecutor\u2019s office have begun mobilizing citizens to pan the river for gold. With local residents all scrambling for gold, the riverbanks are said to be very crowded.<\/p>\n

The reporting partner explained, \u201cResidents can collect up to 1 or 2 grams of gold dust by panning sand at the Unchong River, which flows through the suburbs of Hyesan. Due to sluggish business conditions, poor people and farmers in the area have been flocking to the river to pan for gold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, North Korea\u2019s newly rich class, otherwise known as the \u2018donju\u2019, is observing the sudden discovery of gold with interest. Apparently, \u2018donju\u2019 investors have been asked by the authorities to hire temporary workers to drill deep into the riverbed for gold.<\/p>\n

The reporting partner continued, \u201cTo monopolize the gold, the authorities are trying to block the public from the riverside and are keeping people away at night. However, locals have been bribing guards for access to the river to take away sand.\u201d (Kang Ji-won)<\/p>\n

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