North Korea Specialist Media Highlights Popularity of Daedonggang Beer House
Adult Males Allowed to Purchase Up to 5L Monthly
Beer Tickets Exchanged and Traded on Black Market
A beer specialty store in Pyongyang, North Korea, is reportedly gaining tremendous popularity among residents, with an underground market flourishing where rationed beer tickets are bought and sold. On the 6th, the North Korea-focused media outlet Daily NK cited sources in Pyongyang, reporting, "Recently, despite the cold weather, many people can often be seen heading to the 'Daedonggang Beer House' to drink beer," and "some residents exchange their rationed beer cards for beer tickets, which are then traded on the black market at 5 to 6 times the original price."
The Daedonggang Beer House is said to have established itself as a kind of community space for Pyongyang residents. Gathering here to drink beer and build close relationships has become a cultural practice. One source told Daily NK, "The Daedonggang Beer House has evolved into a community where residents build social bonds, not just a place that sells beer."
The method of using the Daedonggang Beer House was also revealed. To use the beer house, a beer card is mandatory. Adult males residing in Pyongyang reportedly receive a card through their inminban (neighborhood unit) that allows them to purchase up to 5 liters of beer per month. However, those serving in the military or stationed overseas are excluded from the ration. Residents bring this card to the beer house, exchange it for beer tickets at 500 North Korean won per liter, and then drink the beer.
The reason this place is loved by Pyongyang residents is its relatively affordable price. Sources unanimously said, "Beers sold elsewhere are so expensive that people cannot even think of buying them, but Daedonggang Beer is cheap enough for ordinary people to afford, making it very popular."
However, very few residents consume the full monthly allocation of 5 liters of beer. One source explained, "Drinking Daedonggang Beer in Pyongyang is one of the privileges enjoyed by Pyongyang residents, but many are unable to enjoy beer due to economic constraints."
Due to high demand, some residents reportedly supplement their living expenses by selling exchanged beer tickets on the black market at 2,500 to 3,000 North Korean won per liter. One source said, "Trading beer tickets has been going on for a long time," adding, "People generally don't see it as a serious problem, asking what's wrong with it." However, they added, "Because there can be penalties if caught trading like this, people do not talk about it openly."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
