Demanding Food, North Korea`s Coal Miners Refused to Work

A Chinese source reported yesterday that coal miners went on a large-scale strike in Hamkyungbukdo demanding food during the North Korea`s National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il`s visit to Russia.

This source, well informed on the North Korean situation, said that ``as miners staged a large-scale strike during the absence of Chairman Kim, the party secretary of Hamkyungbukdo visited Jilin Province, China, and bought 2,000 tons of corns at $310,000. China is negotiating with North Korea over the issue of providing the additional 1,000 tons.``

Although international market price is $150 per ton, North Korea was reported to have requested China to provide 3,000 tons at cheap price that is applied to the price for food aid, not to the market price.

North Korea has suffered food shortage since 1995, and was reported to face more serious food shortage due to drought this year. Reporting that North Koreans who cross the borderline to find food are increasing, the source added that ``the North Korean defectors are experiencing more difficulties because the Chinese government has intensified the crackdown of the North Korean defectors since Jang Gil-Soo family`s exile to South Korea at the end of June.``

Lee Jong-Hwan ljhzip@donga.com