North Korean authorities have maintained the shortened market hours implemented last month, initially justified as a post-flood recovery measure. The decision to continue the reduced hours was announced to local officials and merchants on Sept. 1, following cabinet orders issued in August and September.
According to a source in North Pyongan province, a market in Sonchon county operated from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. last month, but the market hours were changed this month. According to a notice posted at the market entrance, the market will now be open from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., but will be closed every Friday.
“Merchants and other citizens are nervous that the market hours haven’t returned to normal this month. Last month, the market was open for a short time on Fridays, but now it has to close completely, which people complain makes things even harder for them,” the source said.
Merchants and others are concerned that the longer market hours are kept short, the harder it will be to make a living. The source said residents of the area are gripped by fear that the reduced market hours may not be a temporary measure but a permanent one.
Since government rations and workplace wages are not enough to get by, North Koreans make a living through market-mediated economic activity. The source said that people are understandably concerned that a continuation of reduced market hours will have a direct impact on their financial situation.
“Many families in North Pyongan province had to start from scratch after the flooding. Even if they go to the market every day and work hard, they can barely make ends meet. More and more people are saying they don’t know how they will make ends meet if market hours are reduced for the second month in a row.
Even as markets are kept open at reduced hours, the state-run commercial network, including state-run stores, has expanded significantly, the source said.
“State-run stores in Sinuiju city and Yomju and Yongchon counties are staying open all day even during the flood reconstruction period, offering a wider range of products. As the market hours are shortened while the state-run stores are bustling, some worried people are speculating that the state-run commercial network is replacing the marketplaces.”