{"id":4466,"date":"2020-02-03T18:44:21","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T09:44:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4466"},"modified":"2022-05-16T18:01:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T09:01:10","slug":"corona-panic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2020\/02\/recommendations\/corona-panic\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cInside N. Korea\uff1e Residents Begin to Panic as Border Shutdown Blocks Chinese Imports and Induces Inflation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Photo) A woman offers products to customers at a stall selling Chinese-produced clothes. Photograph taken in Suncheon, South Pyongan Province in 2012 by Kim Dong-cheol (ASIAPRESS)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 \u201cIf the blockade continues, there will be panic\u201d<\/h2>\n

In a bid to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading through China and into North Korea, authorities last week sealed off the border with China, blocking the flow of people and goods. The impact of this move is already being felt across the country, with the subsequent rise in market prices has led to a growing sense of anxiety among residents. (Kang Ji-won\/ISHIMARU Jiro)<\/p>\n

The first signs of the blockade\u2019s effect became evident on January 31.<\/p>\n

A reporting partner living in northern Ryanggang Province reported, \u201cThe prices of Chinese-made goods have began to rise. The price of tangerines rose from 4 to 6 RMB per kilogram. The cost of 5 kilograms of cooking oil rose from 37 to 40 yuan. The prices of car parts, herbal medicine, shoes, and miscellaneous goods also rose by 5-10%. There is a growing concern that the blockade at the Chinese border will be prolonged and that goods will not come through.\u201d<\/p>\n

In North Korea\u2019s central and northern regions, the RMB has become the primary currency, with the prices of goods and services even listed in RMB. As of February 2, the exchange rate value of 1 RMB was 1,250 North Korean won (roughly 172 South Korean won).<\/p>\n

Rumors have been spreading that the markets may be shut down in order to prevent infection, subsequently causing a panic amongst ordinary people who rely upon small, private business to make ends meet. As of February 2, the markets were not closed down, though the sale of live animals such as poultry and rabbits had apparently been banned.
\nNext page :Prices continue to rise...<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25c6 Prices continue to rise<\/h2>\n

Going into February, anxiety is taking root as prices rise in other parts of the country as well, such as Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province and Chongjin City and Hoeryong City, in North Hamkyung Province. In addition, the price of domestically-produced rice has risen by 10-20% in various places- soaring in Hoeryong City from 4,300 won to 5,500 won per kilogram.<\/p>\n

Originally, the price of rice fluctuated according to the changing value of the RMB. This time, however, the price of rice has risen despite the RMB exchange rate remaining level at a value of 1,250 won. Clearly, changes in the supply and demand of the rice market have had a major impact.<\/p>\n

On February 2, another reporting partner living in Ryanggang Province explained, \u201cWe don\u2019t know when trade will resume. All the traders are reluctant to sell their goods because they don\u2019t expect to be resupplied for a while. Some people even say, \u2018The goods they have will be worth their weight in gold.\u2019 In particular, the price of medicine is skyrocketing. The price of glucose rose from 1.5 yuan to 3 yuan per bottle. Besides small miscellaneous goods, there are no Chinese products being sold at the markets- the trucks are empty. Even domestically-produced rice is in short supply. Those who can afford to do so are busy hoarding it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kim Jong-un regime is strongly urging prevention of the new form of pneumonia. Though, it is not a fear of the coronavirus that is gripping North Korea. Ironically, it is a fear of lost trade due to the regime\u2019s preventative measures at the border. Residents worry about how they will earn money if they can\u2019t do business. At the same time, they fear that they could starve if food prices continue to rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe nation and its people have become dependent on China. If the border blockade continues for a month, there will be panic,\u201d the reporting partner explained.<\/p>\n

\u203b ASIAPRESS communicates with reporting partners through smuggled Chinese mobile phones.<\/p>\n

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