Public outrage in North Korea over stark grain price disparity

In North Korea, growing controversies surround the vast differences in grain prices. A staggering discrepancy in food costs is causing public outrage, as the general population finds themselves paying significantly more than government officials. These officials benefit from state-set prices, acquiring food for about 100 times less than the general public.

The government price for a kilogram of rice stands at 46 KPW (approximately $0.04), contrastingly stark to the 4000 KPW (about $3.52) price tag at state-owned grain stores, as reported by the North Korean portal Daily NK. This marks an over 88-fold increase from the official rate.

Residents are increasingly voicing their frustrations, accusing the Workers' Party of extortion and treating citizens disparagingly. This vast disparity is symptomatic of the socialist system in place, which has evidently led to a privileged class among party and government officials, clearly reflected in the distribution of food.

At the core of North Korea's socialist framework is grain rationing. The state allocates food to its population through their employment centers.

Daily NK highlights that employees of the Workers' Party, along with members of the courts, prosecutors' offices, military, police, and security agencies, benefit from grain at state-set prices. Additionally, the state compels farmers to sell their grain at artificially reduced prices, inevitably decreasing farm incomes.

Source: Daily NK