Less than a month after the conclusion of the “70-Day

Battle” in preparation for the 7th Party Congress, the North Korean authorities

have issued orders for a “200-Day Battle,” stirring up palpable discontent

among the general public, Daily NK has learned.

“Although the

‘70-Day Battle’ only recently ended, fresh orders to begin a ‘200-Day Battle’

have been issued,” a source from South Pyongan Province reported in a telephone

conversation to Daily NK on May 30, adding, “The orders stipulate that a new

‘battle’ will commence on June 1 and last until December 17 (the day of Kim

Jong Il’s death).”

Sources in North Pyongan Province and Ryanggang Province also reported similar developments in their respective regions.

The announcement has triggered discontent among the public,

to the degree that some individuals are complaining [amongst themselves] about

the state issuing constant mobilizations when “nothing else is being addressed,”

noted the source.

“How many more

battles demanding every last ounce of our blood and sweat can we handle?” some

have asked, with others saying, “Even some Party cadres have been critical,

asking why the state is going on about another battle when one just came to an

end,” said the source.

The new “200-Day Battle” appears to be part of the

preliminary work for the implementation of the five-year economic development

laid out by Kim Jong Un during the 7th Party Congress. The directive reflects

the lack of tools the leadership has at hand when it comes to implementing the

plans that were announced at the congress, which were aimed at building

solidarity and increasing loyalty amongst the population.

“During previous Party congresses (under Kim Il Sung), at

least the plan put forth clearly outlined economic goals by sector. But this

time, there was no clarity,” the source said, adding, “It’s likely the state

will just push slogans for ‘full-on mobilization’ and ‘absolute goal

attainment’ with no clear aim on what should be done, how, and to what extent.”

This has led some North Koreans to perceive the “200-Day

Battle” as nothing more than a propaganda vehicle to imbue people with a sense

of obligation to participate in projects laid out during the Party Congress and

memorializing Kim Jong Il’s death.

“The ‘200-Day Battle’ is being referred to as a ‘rigorous

march,’ mourning the loss of the General (Kim Jong Il), while attempting to

remedy the anti-climactic atmosphere following the Party Congress,” the source

said. “The state is signaling it will hold a much larger event of mourning this

year, as it’s the fifth anniversary of the General’s (Kim Jong Il’s) death [as

is the case for anniversaries marking five and ten years].”

Meanwhile, officials at central agencies, workers at state

factories, and even college students are being requested to memorize the speech

Kim Jong Un delivered at the 7th Party Congress, adding further difficulties to

their study schedules and efforts to meet production quotas.