Posted on 01/20/2010 5:10:43 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Bartering is Back in North Korea
By Yoo Gwan Hee, from South Pyongan in 2008
[2010-01-20 16:27 ]
As predicted by experts on North Korea’s economy, since the authorities have yet to officially release state prices, the North Korean people are now surviving by bartering.
A defector, who spoke with his family in North Hamkyung Province on Tuesday, reported the news to the Daily NK, “I called my family to send some money to them as I had heard they were in trouble, and they told me that the current situation is unspeakably terrible. They live only by bartering with others.”
He explained further, “For now, state-designated prices are still not public, so people think that selling goods for cash now would mean making a loss. Therefore, bartering has become the main method of trading for the people.”
According to the defector, the barter value of products is decided according to their value in old money. For instance, before the currency redenomination, one Pollack was 1,500 won and a kilogram of corn was 900 won, so people barter one Pollack for a little less than two kilograms of corn. Other products are dealt with in the same way. Barter trade is carried out only privately in homes so as to avoid detection.
The source noted, “People complain that the authorities keep stressing the idea of a strong country in the 21st century while the people’s living conditions are no different from in ancient times.”
He added, “On January 8, people had a day off for Kim Jong Eun’s birthday, but it did not interest them. The succession issue cannot hold people’s interest; they just want everything to be put in order.”
Ping!
That will be us under the “Messiah.”
Ah yes, the ultimate progressive state.
Just give the republicrats a few more years......
“Barter trade is carried out only privately in homes so as to avoid detection.”
Even in the most totalitarian nations, free markets some how continue under the nose of the ‘masters’.
Chia Head should turn on his printing presses and surreptitiously introduce counterfeit US$$ into the economy
Americans have a lot to barter with, and the coming Social Upheaval will re-value most commodities to reflect our new, sadder reality.
For instance, my neighbor's Jet Ski will be worth nothing, except maybe as parts to create a much-needed water pump, whereas my vegetable patch will reap great rewards later on when we are all sick of government cheese.
That is assuming Obama allows white people accesss to the government cheese.
This is astonishing —I mean these are some of the smartest, most loyal, and hard-working people around. With the boot off of their necks, it’s hard to imagine what they would accomplish.
And yet —THIS.
There is a real lesson here. I mean...why them, and not us?
IT COULD HAPPEN HERE.
No, Obama will only let the Rats eat the cheese.
:-P
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.