1. CIVILIAN CONTROLS IN NORTH KOREA. 2. PRICES AND BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES IN NORTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A007300150006-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 5, 2007
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: June 29, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/12/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007300150006-2
MFOO RA flOO N REPO QT MFOO INAA 00 1 REPOQ
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains Information affecting the National Defense of the United states within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Sees. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorised person is prohibited by law.
C=O.-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
SUBJECT 1. Civilian Controls in-North
Kbrea.
2. Prices and Black Market
Activities in North Korea.
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
DATE ACQUIRED
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
6IREMENT NO.
June 1955
2
RD
SOURCE EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TFNTATIyF
Civilian Controls
1. In March 1955, there was. no curfew in North Korea. All citizens were
allowed freedom of movement at night, but local police made occasional
sjt checks. Young men of military age were frequently checked.. 25X1
Black Market Activities
2. Black market activities were minimal because of.strict government control
over the sale ' of all goods, especially rice and. tither .:.food' staples.
Agents of the Market Control Division or the Grain Derision of thegonsumer's
73uild.had authority to confiscate rice and other food staples when they were
sold illegally by individual merchants.1 Despite severe penalties, there was
some opium traffic. The black market price of home-distilled liquor in 0.72
liter bottles was 160 North Korean won per bottle.2
3. Prices throughout North Korea-were uniform because of the strict government
control. Smuggled or,illegal goods f( equently varied in price according to
locality.3
Sale of Liquors
4. Intoxicating liquors were sold at government-operated stores, at cooperative
stores, and in the food departments of government-operated department stores.
Frequently liquor was-also sold in government-operated dining rooms, at
stalls at railroad st6tions, and in theaters. Retail liquor prices were as
follows :
LIQUOR
AMOUNT
PRIC
b
ES, IN W
N
Distilled Spirits
0.72 liters
170
Beer
0.72 liters
40
Alcoholic Cider
J72 liters
180
C-O-N-F'=I-D-E-N T-T-A-L
ON FOR AAV O (ON
E P0
Qir
Mf OQMA`TOON QEpOO QV
Approved For Release 2007/12/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007300150006-2
 Approved For Release 2007/12/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007300150006-2
C-O-N-F-I-D-E N-T-I-A-L
LIQUOR
AMOUNT
R
'
P
ICES IN W
6N
Ginseng Wine
0.72 liters
280
Strawberry Wine
0.72 liters
180
Rice Wine
0.72 liters
120
Port Wine
0.72 liters
180
Vodka (Made in North
Korea)
0.72 liters
380
North Korean Cabinet Decision Jo. 21. dated 5 ~M rchc195 , nde~ one
to control grain transactions by prohibiting the sale of~grain anoted
made through government-controlled outlets. The Minister of Rome
Affairs, the Prosecutor-General, and Chairmen of Provincial People!&
Committees were charged with the supervision and enforcement of this
law.
Comments.
2. Although intoxicating liquors were displayed in many places, small
quantities were actually sold; probably because of the relative
poverty of the people. There were no drunks on streets or trains
in North Korea.
3. Slight differences were noted in Ch'ongjin and P+ on gang prices.
Two mackerel cost 5 to 10 won in C3 j ~, 5N. :in.
two flounders cost 15 to 20 won ih Ch'ongjin, and 50 to 60 won in g;
.
Pyongyang.
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Approved For Release 2007/12/05: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007300150006-2