Economic difficulties lead to downsizing of end-of-year events
North Korea¡¯s end-of-the-year ¡°annual evaluation meetings¡± are being held with less fanfare this year, Daily NK has learned.
¡°In some counties [of Yangang Province], the annual events began on Nov. 10 among branches of the Socialist Women¡¯s Union of Korea,¡± a Yanggang Province-based source told Daily NK on Nov. 16, speaking on condition of anonymity. ¡°Although the events are proceeding as usual, after-party meals are not being held and the overall atmosphere of the celebrations has changed.¡±
According to her, there has been an increase in other local organizations finishing their events with meals where only a few people gather together. ¡°We haven¡¯t seen such a [downsizing] in these events since before 2010,¡± she noted.
One of the reasons why these annual events have been scaled down is because the country has intensified its COVID-19 control measures – yet another sign that North Koreans are actively practicing ¡°social distancing.¡± ......
[Source: Daily NK]