North Korea has purportedly opened a chain

of all-purpose stores with business hours operating until midnight–much akin to

convenience stores in other countries.

The Chosun Sinbo, a pro-North Korea

publication run by The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan,

published an article [written from Pyongyang] on Monday under the headline, “New Type of Business Opens under Slogan Stability, Convenience,” reporting that a new strand of shops began springing up in

Pyongyang on December 20th of last year.

According to the publication, the new shops

are chain stores and for the initial round, stores opened doors in three

locations including Jung-gu District and the area around Botong River. The stores, dubbed “Hwanggeumbeol Shops,” sell food and sundry daily necessities, operating from 6

a.m. to midnight.

By expanding its network of stores, the

business plans to open a total of 20 shops in Pyongyang by the end of spring,

including ones in Moranbong District and Pyongchon District that are scheduled

to be completed by February 16th–just in time for Kim Jong Il’s birthday.

“It’s the first

time a general store will be open from six in the morning to midnight. The

workers involved are describing the principles behind it as ‘love for the people,’” the report read.

“The shops have extended business hours so

that people can buy things they need regardless of the time, and they are being

established in areas adjacent to residential sections so that people can shop near

their homes,” according to the article.

Chosun Sinbo also reported that the

Hwanggeumbeol Shops will be run as chain stores, with all branches offering

the same quality, price, and service to their customers. In the future, operations will expand to offer delivery services, mobile food trucks , laundry services, as well as flight and train bookings.

The company behind the new shops will be

state-run enterprise Hwanggeumbeol Trade Company, which buys in local goods in

bulk for cheap prices and resells them to consumers at relatively affordable

prices. Eligible for customs discounts for foreign imports, these trade enterprises also provide patrons with the opportunity to purchase outside goods at reduced costs.