As the news about the tough set of

sanctions contained in the recently adopted UN resolution spreads in North

Korea, the number of concerned residents is growing. Merchants connected to the export of minerals are reeling after

hearing that trucks bound for export have been stopped at the customs office in

Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province .

“The news that the UN resolution containing

sanctions against North Korea passed unanimously is spreading like wildfire

through [domestic] cell phones. People in the North had little interest in

sanctions in the past, but these days they are expressing concern that ‘this

time things are going to be different,’” a source in South Pyongan Province

reported to Daily NK on March 7.

A source in North Hamgyong Province

corroborated this news, reporting the same developments on the ground in that region.

“Sinuiju is known as the gateway to China

and the ultimate symbol of friendly relations between our two nations. That’s

why news of its closure to mineral exports is causing dismay,” she explained,

adding that a rumor has also taken off that international customs offices in

other border towns such as North Hamgyong’s Rajin and Hoeryong will be

shuttered.

Further anxiety is being stoked by the fact that trusted allies such

as China and Russia are participating in the sanctions and the fact that

residents are getting detailed information about the resolution’s specific

clauses.

“People are further concerned because

things have apparently changed significantly since China helped the country to

overcome the difficulties during the ‘Arduous March,’ [famine] in the mid

1990s. People from all over the country are concerned that China might shut the

border down totally. If that happens, it will become difficult for everyone to

make a living,” the source indicated.

“Wholesalers and market vendors are feeling

the most vulnerable to the UN sanctions. Their greatest fear is that they won’t

be able to buy products. Merchants who have been selling Chinese products at

cheap prices are expecting a cost increase and have momentarily discontinued

sales.”

According to the source, the North Korean

authorities have indicated that they plan to hold mass meetings to criticize

the UN resolution; however, the residents are not pointing their finger at the

international community. Instead, they are blaming the authorities.

“I keep hearing, ‘‘Those cadres don’t care

if us normal people starve. If I don’t look after myself, I’ll surely suffer,’” she said, adding that to this end, people are busy providing food for themselves and their families, and in some areas, panic buying necessities such as rice before the projected rise in prices. Fears that the customs door to China may close and make accessing food much harder has also contributed to this hoarding trend.

“This is what

happens when the authorities pursue useless things [nuclear weapons, missiles]

and go around bragging about it,” she concluded.