As kimchi season approaches in North Korea, distribution and sales of kimchi ingredients such as cabbage and radish as well as related items such as kimchi containers are known to be more active than ever.
A source from North Pyongan Province told Daily NK on the 19th that the internal situation is overflowing with kimchi, saying, “During the kimchi season, the distribution of kimchi-related materials is active and a line of carts is forming.”
According to the source, currently in North Pyongan Province, carts carrying kimchi ingredients such as cabbage and radishes are lined up on the market streets and roads, and some residents are waiting and waiting on the roads to buy ingredients before they are handed over to market vendors. there is.
The source said, “Residents are refusing to go to the market, complaining that it costs almost twice as much to make kimchi this year compared to last year.” “We are obtaining materials by colluding with those who want to hand them over to .”
However, this is said to be problematic as an illegal commercial activity.
In fact, the inspectors who received instructions from the People’s Committee were not the mayor, but The source said that buying and selling goods in informal places is illegal and is being cracked down on and fines are levied for extortion. Accordingly, residents are being extremely careful in obtaining materials to avoid the eyes of inspectors.
Meanwhile, in North Pyongan Province, it is reported that thick and tough Chinese plastic containers with a capacity of 50 liters, imported through borders such as Sinuiju, are being sold like hot cakes instead of kimchi jars, the production of which has long since stopped.
In addition, various types of plastic containers, large and small, produced in Anju, South Pyongan Province, are distributed to North Pyongan Province and are sold with great popularity.
It is said that Chinese-made plastic containers are more expensive and of better quality than domestic plastic containers, so wealthy residents or Chinese-made plastic containers are purchased, while those who are not wealthy are trying to obtain cheaper domestic plastic containers, even if they can only be used for 1-2 years.
A source said, “Domestic plastic containers cannot be used for two years if buried in the ground, but it is difficult to buy expensive containers right away, so many residents are sticking to cheap domestic plastic containers.”
Meanwhile, it is said that residents are worried and are paying special attention to drying the kimchi that they spent a lot of money on and worked hard to make.
The source said, “There are a lot of houses here (North Korea) without refrigerators, so they usually store kimchi by setting up warehouses outside and putting kimchi pots in the ground. We are worried that households that are unable to make kimchi due to poor economic conditions this year will steal the kimchi, but there is no need to do anything.” “I am crying because there is no way,” he said.
Source: www.dailynk.com
