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N. Korean Edict Meets Rare Resistance

Unrest over private markets could signal trouble for Kim

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2009 4:05 PM CST
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(Newser) – When Kim Jong Il imposed new rules this month to crack down on private markets, he encountered a rare thing from his obedient citizenry—resistance. One eastern city had a riot, and public anger forced the government to beat a rare retreat on some of the new currency restrictions, reports the Washington Post. The development "reveals new constraints on Kim's power and may signal a fundamental change in the operation of what is often called the world's most repressive state," writes Blaine Harden.

The private markets—which hawk everything from cheap electronics to food—may have become too powerful to control. Not only do they feed and provide work for about half the nation's 24 million people, one analyst says they've created a "new power elite" of people who pay bribes to government bureaucrats. Kim may have been trying to nip them in the bud before his successor-son has to deal with even more powerful markets, but he apparently underestimated the task. The six-decade family dynasty could be facing a genuine threat to its long-term reign.

In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, center, inspects a steel complex in North Hamgyong province.
In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, center, inspects a steel complex in North Hamgyong province.   (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)
In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Il checks corn during a visit to a cooperative farm in North Korea's South Hamgyeong province.
In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Il checks corn during a visit to a cooperative farm in North Korea's South Hamgyeong province.   (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency Via Korea News Service)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 25 comments
NxBigmouthery
Dec 27, 2009 9:37 AM CST
This kind of resistance typically provides a measure of hope to the oppressed. There is nothing more dangerous than a mass movement of people who actually feel they can effect real change. Bear in mind, I'm not talking about the 'hope and change as a political slogan' thing.
Derni
Dec 27, 2009 9:09 AM CST
The people have more power than they think-we all give up power-even in the USA-sad to say at times like North Korea and China we're like cattle just going with the flow
BootsyInTheMiddle
Dec 27, 2009 8:25 AM CST
Oh man! Dodo really got me there! Dodo's arguments are so well thought out, he must have helped Sarah Palin with her debate prep. You betcha!

 
North Korea • currency • Pyongyang • black market • Kim Jong Il

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