NIS: "Kim Jong-un's Irrational Actions Including Execution of Money Changer"

Execution of Prominent Pyongyang Money Exchanger Over Sharp Currency Drop
"Frequent Emotional Outbursts and Anger Due to Stress"
Key Official Violating COVID-19 Quarantine Rules Also Executed

Director Park Ji-won of the National Intelligence Service is attending the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, is reportedly engaging in irrational actions such as executing currency exchangers amid economic difficulties, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed on the 27th.

The NIS made this announcement during the National Assembly Intelligence Committee meeting, stating that "North Korea is taking unreasonable measures," according to Kim Byung-gi of the Democratic Party and Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party, who are secretaries of the committee.

Chairman Kim executed a prominent currency exchanger in Pyongyang at the end of October due to a sharp drop in the exchange rate, and in August, a key official was executed for violating the ban on importing materials for COVID-19 prevention.

North Korea reportedly halted fishing and salt production out of concern that seawater might be contaminated by COVID-19.

The NIS explained that North Korea imposed a blockade on maritime routes where foreign currency goods were confirmed to be imported, such as Hyesan, Nasan, and Nampo, earlier this month, and recently extended the blockade to Pyongyang and Jagang Province, resulting in prolonged control measures and worsening economic difficulties.

Trade volume between North Korea and China from January to October dropped sharply to $530 million, about one-quarter of the same period last year. Due to the suspension of imports from China, prices of food items such as sugar and seasonings have quadrupled. In particular, seasonings that were priced around 16,500 won have risen to 75,900 won, and sugar, which was around 6,000 won per kilogram at the beginning of the year, has increased to 27,800 won.

Representative Ha said, "Due to the suspension of raw material and equipment imports, industrial operation rates have fallen to the lowest level since Chairman Kim took power," adding, "Expressions and terms emphasizing a sense of crisis are becoming stronger due to the triple hardships of sanctions, COVID-19, and floods."

Representative Ha also stated, "(North Korea) is not accepting external goods, and as Chairman Kim's stress increases, there are frequent emotional excesses and displays of anger, leading to many irrational orders."

He added, "There is severe paranoia about not accepting external goods because of COVID-19," and reported, "110,000 tons of rice promised by China are at the Dalian port but are not being imported into North Korea."

The NIS further stated, "The reported summary execution at Pyongyang Medical University seems to be untrue," explaining that a Pyongyang Medical University official has been suspended from their position and is currently under investigation for reasons including admission fraud, forced fundraising from dormitory applicants, and corruption.

Meanwhile, there are projections that North Korea's economic growth rate for this year could reach -10% due to the impact of COVID-19 and international sanctions. This figure is even lower than the -6.5% recorded during the 'Arduous March' period in 1997.