Panelists on 2009 social trends also note Kim Jong-il’s focus on economy over military as part of the campaign to become a ‘strong and prosperous nation’ by 2012

The peace and human rights group Good Friends headed by Venerable Beomnyul said Monday North Korea is combating a situation where there are repeat cases of infection and deaths are skyrocketing as a result of the spread of the H1N1A influenza as if the nation were at war.

During a session on 2009 social trends in North Korea hosted at the Seoul Press Center by Good Friends, Ven. Beomnyul said that North Korea appears to be taking emergency measures about the H1N1A influenza that includes categorizing patients under Emergency Subject No. 11. The monk explained that Emergency Subject No. 11 has been used to refer to wounded soldiers or victims of germ infections in times of war who require urgent treatment. Patients under this category are permitted to stop any form of transportation, and those that refuse them transport to a hospital could face consequences. He said the flu has spread to North Korea through the Chinese city of Dandong, and an estimated 40 children and young people died in Shinuiju in November alone. Ven. Beomnyul said the disease has since spread throughout the country, and visits to prison camps have been suspended. This situation seems to have been a factor in the North Korean authorities’ recent decisions to inform international bodies of the outbreak of the disease and to accept medical aid from the South Korean authorities.

Yang Mun-su, professor of the University of North Korean Studies, served as a session participant and referred to other social trends in North Korea. He referenced North Korea’s recent “150 Day Battle,” “100 Day Battle,” currency reform and crackdown on markets. Professor Yang said that from a policy perspective, the logic of politics has dominated economic rationality and the mood of economic reform has been in retreat this year. He also said, “Increasing numbers of residents who are starving in North Korea have engaged in new behavior such as committing crimes such as stealing.” He added, “This is a significant new phenomenon related to regime stability.” Yang also said that in a situation in which the system of distribution is not functioning properly, a crackdown on illegal markets does not lead to their eradication but rather to their proliferation. Yang said, “This widening of illegal markets would give the wealth class greater space to exercise their privileges and could widen the gap between the rich and poor.”

Meanwhile, as of Dec. 28, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has made 158 recorded public appearances this year, the most ever since the official launch of his administration in 1998. In particular, Kim has focused 42 percent of his visits or 65 visits on providing on-site guidance in the economic sector, and only 28 percent of his visits or 44 visits to military sites. Since 1998, Kim has conducted most of his public activity in the military sector, with the exception of 2000,the year of the first inter-Korean summit, were 34 percent of his visits were to economic sites and 29 percent were to military ones.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]