CONDITIONS IN CH'ONGJIN, NORTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 28, 2012
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: March 10, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECT Conditions in Ch'ong,jin, North Korea
tlonal Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing of the Espionage Iswa, Title 18, U.$.C. Seca. 793
and 794, the tranamiesion or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law.
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL Of CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(fOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
- 50X1-HUM
rp March 1955
Electric Power
1. Electric power installations in Ch~ong~in were lees seriously damaged than
in other towns. Ahigh-tension line in perfect condition and extending
in a northerly direction is visible over the hills overlooking the town
The electric power lines which were damaged have in many cases received
makeshift inetallations~l ~leotrio lighting is installed everywhere and
operates normally with residents permitted to use e~eatrio lights irk theix
homes. In this field real progress has been made, 13owever~ street lighting
is practically nonexistent, and at night the aoa~plete darkness make? it
necessary for one to carry a flashlight During the winter there is a
restriction on eleotriaity on Sundays from 0700 to 1600 bourse Power
breakdowr~e ar? frequent in wind and snow ?torms~
Water Su~~ly
.,_
2. Wt~ter is obtained only from wells and from a few conduit installations
which were saved from destructions In many areas water faucets have been
installed in the vicinity of residential homes, but this water must be used
for household consumption only. Laundering must be done on the seashore
or on the drainage canal.
Coal
3. Four coal dumps of moderate importance have been located; one at the railroad
station for the use of locomotives, one near the primary schools in the radio
station tower area, another at the prison in the Eastern Harbor (Fishing
Harbor) quarter, and the fourth in an underground locale along the main road
to the Eastern Harbor. The quantity of coal issued to the civilian population
is apparently very limited for'each family received only one or two sacks at a time.
The only reserves around the homes are coal heaps sufficient for 2 or 3 days'
heating.
STATEEV ~{ ARMI'~i'V }{ NAVY AIR FBI AEC ORR X
INnrc. ur...~e_,.~en disf.;A,.~;.... .-a:....r.r~ by "X": Field dier?ri6ulfen by ~~#~?.)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
Lumber
~+. Several sawmills are in full operations producing mainly planks for reconstruction;
and some firewood from scraps. In preparation for the winter many people
mostly aged go to the hills to pick up small dry brancheso
.Food Supply
5. The people's food supply consists mainly of ricer sorghums barley, soya beans,
fish, eggs carrots turnip-rooted celery cabbages potatoes in limited guantities~
and Iettuceo Fishy which is offered in generally sufficient qus,ntities~ is priced
within the means of all and is well liked, Fruits include apples and pears.
Fresh meat is expensive, and its consumption is limited.3 Harvested rice is
stored in two large depots guarded by North Korean troops. One depot i~s located
in a building on the principal highway in the area of the Central Harbor (western
part)and the other is near the railroad station not far from Western Harbor:
Distribution is made through the two markets in Ch'ong~in~ the ration per person
being about two bowls of rice daily in addition to a sufficient quantity of
barley.
6. The North Korean Army has accumulated reserves of lettuces carrots potatoes
celery and fodder in the caves southeast of the town and in underground spaces
by the seaside. ~trery day there is a constant movement back and forth of
North Korean soldiers on the road to thb quarantine station, but it has not been
possible to determine their activities or destination. These soldiers never
carry weapons, tools or packs. A few trucks have been seen coming to this ar?a,
but no materiel was observed being transported.
Fertilizer
~~o
7. Natural fertilizer composed of sediment and ashes i? insufficient to replace
the nitrogen and phosphates which the Korean soil leeks because of int?nsivo=
cultivation. One of the fertilizers used is icnmonium sulphates which is
adapted to all Drops. This fertilizer is not expensiv? and is well known
to all Korean farmers. Another fertilizer used is probably "calcium cysnamide~
alkaline plant (sic)"~ which is essential because of the acidity~of the Korean
soils according to a local resident. The quantity of fertilizer received
depends on the size of the ared cultivated. If the farmer cannot pay cash,
he must pay with produce. There are several indications (packing, markings etc.)
that these fertilizers come from Russia.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
8.
Prices of various articles in Ch'ong~in are 8s follows:
Stem
Price in hwan
Airplanes small toy
120
Apples, pex kilogram
120
basket ball
700
Bel"t, leather, ordinary
220
Cigarettes, Korean (blue or gray-white paper)
30
Cigarettes, Chinese
50 '
Eggs
185
'Erasers
5-10
Hose, cotton
loo-300
Inkwells
90
Jacket,.. Soviet-made, leather
8,800
Jacket, Soviet-made, child's rabbit fur
6,000
Jacket, used, cloth
2,950
hemp, electric, bulb
350
Notebook, school
20
Outercoat, ordinary, new
8,000 (approx.)
Pants, ordinary
2,x+00
Pencils
10-20
Rope, skipping
350
Shoes, canvas (Japanese style)
300-500
Shoes, leather (men's and women's)
1500-2800
Si1:k, North Korean
680-1600
Silk, Chinese
Soap (made in China or North Korea)
1500-1800
200
Stockings, silk, Soviet-made
350
Suit, man's
1,200
Undergarments, women's, silk
S-E-C -R -E-T
1,100
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
Schools
9. A primary school and a high school are located behind the hill on which the
radio station tower stands. Another primary school is located in the
Ch'ongnam-long quarter, and the middle school is east of the city, near the
road to Eastern Harbor. Since space is scarce in the school rooms, many
children, especially those in the primary grades, attend from 1000 to 1330
hours only. Those from families who have taken refuge in the hills over-
looking the sea have to walk more than 3 hours daily, Monday through Saturday.
Beoa~.se of the shortage of school bags, many wrap their books and notebooks
in handkerchiefs or other clothe
Postal and.Tele~hone Service
10. Ch'ong~in has one post office, which is located at the main market square
and is staffed with approximately 12 people plus several mail carriers.
It accepts only letters, and payments by cheek. A letter for Switzerland
costs 1~+~ kwan for air mail and 20 hwan for sea mail. Registered mail is
unknown. The postage stamps have poor designs are printed on poor quality
paper, and are not gummed.? Postal cards, which are often sold out, carry
propaganda slogans and cost 10 hwan,each. Ch'ong~in has telephone service,
and there is a private booth at the post office.
Clothing
11. There is a considerable lack of clothing in Ch'ong,jin. Residents wear only
worn out, repaired or patched-up garments both on weekdayrs and on Sundays.
Some we~e-r f~age ~ and a tremendous number go about in torn .el?thes . Women ernd girls ~
although poorly dressed seem to be better ?dreseed thih ~oen~ bud 'there
are extremely few families who have a sufficient wardrobe of sew or excellent-
quality clothes. Children are almost ~-lways dressed in coats and other
garments far too larg? or unsuitabl?~ although immediately after the first ~95~
snowfall they emerged from ?houses gearing ~~a~ded`' cottoh'garigen~? in ~er~'ect
condition.
Sanitary Conditions and Medical Facilities
12. Sanitary conditions appear normal despite the shortage of sanitary installations.
There is almost a total lack of hygiene among the ority of the population.
However, all measures are taken to avoid epidemics d lime and chlorine 50X1-H U M
are distributed everywhere by North Korean troops under the control and
direction of Chinese Communist Forces physicians. The troops appear to enjoy
good health, as do the children, including those who come from the hills
overlooking the sea to attend school in Ch'ong~in. The Czechoslovakian
hospital is greatly appreciated and receives many patients.9 The Czechs
are very popular, especially among the young people.,,
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3
Sundays
13. Ch'ong~in residents work 7 days a week. However, on Sundays activity slows
down somewhat, North Korean troops have several hours of liberty, and the
schools are closed.. Women are seen doing their wash at the seashore and
wearing their more becoming garments.
1
Comment. The electric power lines must have been repaired
quickly
, sin a the people were content to put in these makeshift
install
ations.
Co~ents,~
2?
in 1953 private homes
and businesses in Ch'ong,jin were allotted no power in order to conserve
electricity; that it was distributed only to Government organizations
and to the residences of staff members and employees of Government
organizations.
3.
~+.
Calcium cyanamide can be used ae a fertilizers but the meaning oi' the
term "alkaline plant" cannot be determined.
5,
Comment. Presumably one egg ie meant.
Comments
6.
in early 1983 registered
ma ac ee sere seldom used in North Korea because o~' the striot
censorship placed on that type of mail.
7?
stamps are not gummed and that postal earde Bost 10 hwan
each.
S.
9. According to the 8 October 195+ FSIB~ Pyongyang',Radio'stated'that
Czechoslovakia has established a Red Cross hospitsl in Ch'ong~in
with medical experts and supplies.
50X1-HUM
i
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/28: CIA-RDP80S01540R006400100021-3