It has been reported that the consumption of luxury goods to show off material wealth has recently been noticeably increasing among North Korean youth. In particular, it is said that expensive Chinese-made digital watches (smartwatches) are gaining great popularity.
According to Daily NK’s South Pyongan Province source on the 4th, demand for Chinese smartwatches has recently surged among North Korean youth, and import goods merchants are working hard to sell products targeting the youth.
In particular, Huawei’s smartwatch ‘Talk Band B7’, which can be used as earphones by detaching the watch body and putting it in the ear when a call comes in, is said to be very popular among North Korean youth.
This product is a high-end product that sells for more than twice as much as other smartwatches in China, and is currently sold in North Korea. The source explains that demand is so high that even though it is being sold at a high price of 1,300 yuan (about 250,000 won), it cannot be sold because it is not available.
A source said, “Importers are requesting more than 100 Huawei B7 watches at a time,” adding, “This means that there are a lot of people looking for them.”
This product also has text and call functions, but in North Korea, Rather than using the function, you can only use the basic clock function of checking the time.
A source said, “It is becoming a trend to carry luxury items that can show others how well off you are, even if they are not of practical help in real life,” adding, “That is why mainly young people in their 20s and 30s buy these watches.” did it
At the same time, he added, “As young people watch videos coming from outside, their eyes have become higher and they are coveting more expensive items than their abilities.”
According to the Bank of Korea on the 26th of last month, North Korea’s per capita gross national income (GNI) is estimated at 1.59 million won, only 1/30th of South Korea’s. Nevertheless, North Korean youth appear to have a tendency to show off their wealth by purchasing expensive luxury goods.
In addition to smartwatches, wireless chargers for Chinese mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers are also said to be in high demand, especially among North Korean youth. In addition, as the number of residents looking for mobile phone straps, cases, and stands is increasing, imports of Chinese mobile phone accessories are also reportedly increasing significantly.
Meanwhile, some in North Korea are criticizing young people for purchasing expensive products to show off.
The source said, “It is pointed out that the atmosphere of coveting luxury items that are not needed right away but just to show off to others is getting worse. On the one hand, people are hungry, but on the other hand, people are buying expensive items even though they do not have the ability to keep up with trends.” “There are people who are criticizing the fact that an unsmiling scene is unfolding in our lives,” he said.
Source: www.dailynk.com
