Posted on 02/04/2010 6:57:30 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
N.Korea eases market curbs as anger grows: Seoul
By Jun Kwanwoo (AFP) – 10 hours ago
SEOUL — North Korea is relaxing restrictions on private markets because of mounting anger at a chaotic currency change that worsened food shortages and sparked unrest, South Korea's spy agency said Thursday.
"North Korean authorities have been easing restrictions on markets. Such signs have been detected in various places," a spokesman for the National Intelligence Service (NIS) told AFP.
"They may not have been able to keep ignoring people's demands."
The communist regime had launched a progressive crackdown on street markets in recent years in an apparent attempt to regain control over the economy.
On November 30 it also announced a shock currency revaluation that wiped out the savings of many private traders, sent inflation soaring and worsened food shortages. There have been reports of attacks on security agents.
Media reports Wednesday said a top communist party finance official, Pak Nam-Ki, has been sacked to take the blame for the chaos. The NIS has confirmed that Pak disappeared from public view recently.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
P!
P!
Hmmm. An interesting development.
10 years ago they would shoot or send to camps anyone who complained or protested. Here, they gave in to the complaints.
Maybe they’re running out of bullets or camp space.
The “elites” of North Korea are now too involved and making too much money in trade and the “black markets” - so they are hurt too. With an open China just across the border, there is too much money being made.
If it were only just peasants on the border engaged in this, they would all be shot.
Pandora’s box has already been opened. Now its a question of how China chooses to depose or manage the disgusting Kim regime.
Looking forward to Chia Head meeting the same end as Ceaucescu.
South Korea had better start making plans. The integration of the former Eastern states by Bundesrepublik Deutschland would seem a case of mild indigestion in comparison.
Probably BOTH space and bullets
market defeats Chia Head),<<<
I do hope so.
Oh no. They’ll just give enough to calm the masses down. Once that happens, the more outspoken of them (and their families) will suddenly just ‘disappear’.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.