Prosecutors in Rason have launched a month-long inspection to identify owners of multiple homes, designating such ownership as “non-socialist.” However, local residents are dismissing the inspection as a ploy for collecting bribes.
According to a source in North Hamgyong province recently, the investigation aims to verify if people reside in homes registered on their housing permits and whether individuals illegally profit by allowing others to live in their properties without proper licenses.
Prosecutors announced that about 120 households had been caught this year for profiting from multiple home ownership, mostly due to mismatches between registered and actual residences. Many cases involved households owning multiple homes under parents’ names, with children using the properties for accommodation businesses or rentals.
While offering leniency for those who turn themselves in, prosecutors warned of criminal punishment for violators caught during the inspection. However, Rason residents remain skeptical, believing that wealthy and powerful multiple homeowners will likely evade punishment for this “non-socialist behavior.”
“Purchasing several housing use certificates means you’re already rich and powerful,” a source said. “Prosecutors will have a tough time punishing such people.”
The practice of purchasing multiple homes under relatives’ names and renting them out is already widespread in North Korea, despite authorities considering it “non-socialist behavior.” Some homes are even used as small clothing factories. Renters typically prefer landlords with political influence to avoid crackdowns.
Given this context, many view the inspection as futile.
“Ultimately, this inspection is a competition for bribes,” the source said, adding: “People ask what prosecutors are inspecting for when violators can avoid the crackdown using bribes and connections.”
The Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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October 18, 2024 at 08:00AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)