MARKETS AND COMMODITY PRICES IN NORTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002700400007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 11, 2003
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: November 3, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
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This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
25X1A
SUBJECT Markets and Commodity Prices in
North Korea
25X1A
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
3 November 1953
17
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The Sach'ang Market in Pyongyang
1. The Sach'ang Market, the largest and most important in P'yo'ngyang, had been in
operation for half a century before the Communists came to power in North Korea.
Until the outbreak of the Korean war, the North Korean Communist regime levied
heavy taxes on the owners of private stores in the market and kept their busi-
ness activities under heavy surveillance as a part of the program to replace
private enterprise in this field with government-owned and consumers' coopera-
tive stores. Only about a thousand private merchants were able to carry on
with their businesses at the Sach'ang Market under these difficult circumstances.
Later, more than 10 stores operated by the government or by consumers' coopera-
tives were opened in the market, and the market itself was put under the
control of the P'yo'ngyang Commerce and Ii dulltry Bureau, After the @tart of the
Korean war, the market flouri?hec despite tombinp by United Nations airy ra ft
until 1952, when it was burned in an attaok.
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X AIR X
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2. In May 1953 the Sach?ang Market was in a dugout constructed with logs 100
meters west of the front gate of the original market. The Ch'angdong Church,
which had stood opposite the front gate, had been bombed out. Each store in
the market occupied one square meter of space, with some grocery stores using
two square meters. Government-owned and consumers' cooperative stores occupied
five square meters of space each. Electric lights had been installed in the
dugout, but candles provided light when the electric current failed. Privately
owned stores in the market included grocery, drapery, hardware, tobacco, and
general stores. Store owners had to pay market maintenance expenses and busi-
ness taxes. The business tax was 30 percent of the total profit from each store.
3. There were 11 grain stores in the market, with an average of 10 bags of grain
stored in each shop. Buyers of rice were mostly middle-class people. Beef was
in short supply, but pork was abundant. The plentiful supply of pork was the
result of pig importations from China which had been taking place since 1951,
and the distribution of these pigs to various farms throughout the area. Soy
sauce and soy bean paste were also plentiful. Seafood was scarce and expensive
as a result of the United Nations coastal blockade. Korean and Soviet-made
confectionaries, including biscuits and hard candies, were also sold at the
market, with a package of biscuits from the USSR priced at 800 North Korean won.
4. Soviet-made suit material war common in the market, and some cloth from Macao
was also on sale. More suit material was sold in the government and consumers'
cooperatives than in the privately owned stores. Various kinds of cloth,
shirts, underwear, and other clothing were exhibited in the show windows, but
there were few buyers. Soeond hand clothing was also displayed. Eardware
stores sold second hand brassware, aluminum ware, and nails. There was no
chinaware on the market. Among the Chinese-made products on sale were socks,
towels, shirts, children's clothing, rubber shoes, sneakers, and toilet arti-
cles. These items were sold at general stores. Ninety percent of the gold
on the market was Chinese-produced. Most of the tobacco and cigarettes were
Chinese-made, and had been brought from, Sinuiju and Antung by Chinese Communist
army truck drivers or sold by Chinese soldiers from their own rations. Many
Chinese-made batteries, fountain pens, and lighters were also available on
the market.
Commodity Prices in the P'yongyartg Area
5. In May 1953, prices of commodities which were being sold in the Pyongyang area,
in privately-owned, government, and cooperative stores were as follows:1
Private
Government and
Store
Cooperative
Item2
Amount3
Price
Store Price
Rice
1 small mal
1,500 won
1,250 won
Millet
1 small mal
1,200
Soy beans
1 small mal
800
6oo
Red beans
1 small mal
1,200
Beef
1 kun
6oo
Pork
1 kun
6oo
Ginsen
1 kun
18,000
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CONFIDENTIAL
Item
Amount
Private. Government and
Store Cooperative
Price Store Price
Gold
1 momme
10,000
Cotton cloth (C)
1 meter
800 6oo
Silk shirt material1
1 meter
900
Poplin shirt material
1 meter
6oo 550
Mosquito net material
2 x 1 meters
800 6oo
Suit cloth (S)4
3 meters
8,000 6,ooo
Cotton cloth (S)4
1 meter
6oo 550
Cotton cloth (NK)
Rayon (NK)
1. meter
1 meter
250
Cotton cloth (coarse)
(NK)
20 feet
2,000 1,800
Toothpaste (C)
700
Toilet powder (C)
1,200
Toilet cream (C)
1,800
Fountain pen (C)
2.000
Lighter (0)
1,500
P'ltshlight battery
1,100
Pencil (C8)
Lux toilet soap (U8)
6o
6oo
5
0
Toothpowder (NK)
4
0
Laundry soap (NX)
300
245
Toothbrush (C)
500
Toothbrush (NK)
50
Cigarettes (C)
10 packages
2,000
- 2,750
Cigarettes (NK).
1 package
80
- 100
Tobacco (NK)
100 grams
30
Soy sauce (NK)
1 sung
80
Dried fish (small)
1 kilogram
600
500
Salted mackeral
250
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CONFIDENTIAL
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Item
Gold
Cotton cloth (C)4
Silk shirt material
Poplin shirt material
Mosquito net material
Suit cloth (S)1.
Cotton cloth (S)4
Cotton cloth (NK)
Rayon (NK)
Cotton cloth (coarse)
(NK)
Toothpaste (C)
Toilet powder (C)
Toilet cream (C)
Fountain pen (C)
Lighter (C)
Flashlight battery (C)
Pencil (CS)
Lux toilet sap (us)
Toothpowder (NK)
GAvernment? and
Cooperative
Store Price
6oo
goo
550
6oo
6,ooo
250
1.800
50
40
Laundry soap (NK)
300
2
45
Toothbrush (C)
5 00
Toothbrush (NK)
5
0.
Cigarettes (C)
10 packages
20000
- 20750
Cigarettes (NK)'
1 package
80
- 100
Tobacco (NK)
100 grams
30
Boy sauce (NK)
1 sung
8
0
Dried fish (small)
1 kilogram
600
5 0
0
Salted mackeral
250
Private
Store
Amount Price
1 momme 10,000
1 meter 800
1 meter 900
1 meter 600
2 x 1 meters 800
3 meters 8,000
1 meter 6oo
1 meter
1 meter
300
20 feet 2,000
700
1,200
1,800
2,000
1, 500
1,100
60
6oo
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Private Gover
Store Coope
Price St
nment and
rative
P
ore
rice
Women's rubber shoes' 1 pair 1,500
Sneakers' 1 pair 1,300
Basketball sneakers (C) 1 pair 2,500
Sneakers (C) 1 pair 2,300
6.
On 8 June 1953, the following commodity prices were in
Pyongyang area; all prices were in North Korean won:
Commodity Unit3
P
rice
Rice, polished 1 mal5
1,500 won
Rice, imported 1 mal
1,200
Millet 1 mal
1, 200
Peas, green 1 mal
1,500
Beans, red 1 mal
1,100
Beans 1 mal
1,100
Barley 1 mal
1,200
Salt 1 =1
800
Beef 1 kun
600
Pork 1 kun
600
Cattle 1 head 15
0,000
Apples 100
1i500
Pen21icillin 1 bottle
1,500
Diazins 1 tablet
30
Worm pills 1 gram
600
Soap, toilet 1 bar
1+0
Soap, laundry 1 bar
50
Shoes, white rubber, women's 1 pair 2
,500
Shoes, black rubber, women's 1 pair 1
,500
Shoes, black rubber, men's 1 pair 1
,700
Wristwatch (Z)
7
,000
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Commodity
Unit Price
Wristwatch (J)
1 5,000
Fertilizer, ammonium
8 kwan 5,200
Paper for windows;
20 sheets 500
Commodity Prices in Moktan-yon
7. On 17 May 1953 the following commodity prices were in effect in Moktan-
myon (N 38-03, E.126-01+) (BT-J+315); all prices were in North Korean won:
Commodity
Unit3
Price
Rice
1 small mal
1,100 won
Rice, glutinous
1 small mal
1,150
Beans
1 small mal
500
Beans, red
1 small sal
1,250
Wheat
1 small sal
750
Millet
1 small sal
1;050
Broomcorn
1 small sal
65o
Beef
1 kun
400
Oxen
Cloth, rough cotton
1 head
1 foot
6,5oo
Commodity Prices in 8ariw5n
8&
On 26 May 1953 the following commodity prices were in effect in the
8ariwon (N 38-30, E 125-46) (YC-4164) area; all prices were in North Korean wont
Comm_x
Unit3
Price
Rice
1 small mal
1,000 won
Rice, glutinous
1 small sal
1,100
Beans
1 small sal
600
Beans, red
1 small mal
1,7.50
Millet
1 small sal
10000
Broomcorn
1 small sal
700
Grass, deccan (sic)
1 small sal
300
Cloth, cotton
1 foot
250
Cloth, rough cotton
1 foot
80
Shoes, rubber, women's
1 pair
10300
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Commodity Prices in Yonan
9. On 4 June 1953 the following con3modity prices were in effect in Yonan
(N 37-5.4, E 126-10) (BS-5198); all prices were in North Korean won:
Commodity
Unit3
Price
Rice
1 small mal
,
1,150 won
Rice, glutinous
1 small mal
1,200
Wheat
1 small mal
800
Millet
1 small mal
1,150
Beans
1 small mal
550
Beans, reel
1 small mal
1,300
Broomcorn
1 small Mal
700
Grass, deccan (sic)
1 small mal
450
Eggs
1
35
Beef
1 kun
400
Chicken
1
1,500
Oxen
1 head
70,000
Penicillin, crystalline
Aspirin
Soap (NK)
Cloth, rough cotton
1 bottle
1 tablet
1 bar
1 foot
800
Cloth, plain cotton
1 foot
250
Cloth, made in Wonju
1 foot
230
Hemp
1 foot
200
Socks:(NK)
1 pair
200
Shoes, white rubber, women's
1 pair
1,800
Shoes, black rubber, Men's (SK)
1 pair
1,400
Shoes, black rubber, women's (SK)
1 pair.
1,200
Shoes, black rubber, women's (NK)
1 pair.
1,050
Shoes, black rubber, men's (NK)
1 pair.
1,000
Notebook
150
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Commodity
`r
Paper, white, Korean, 2.4
square feet
Pencil
Matches, (C)
Matches (NK)
Unit
150
150
30
150
Hoe, weeding
150
10. On 30 July 1953 the following commodity prices were in effect in Yanan; all
prices were in North Korean won:
Commodity
Rice
Beans
Barley
Beans, red
Beef
Pork
Liquor, Korean
Liquor, weak, Korean
Quinine, (US)
Sulfa-diazine (US)
Toothpaste (NK)
Laundry soap (C)
Shoes, white rubber, Women's
(SK)
Shoes, white rubber, men's (SK)
Fountain pen (C)
Cigarette lighter (SK)
Comb (SK)
Matches
Unit3
1 small mal
1 small mal
1 small mal
1 small mal
1 kun
1 kun
1 kun
1,8 liters
1 tablet
1 tablet
1 tube
1 bar
1 pair
1 pair
1 package
Price
900
500
500
900
400
700
Boo
300
20
20
80
200
1,200
1,400
1,200
Boo
240
17
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Commodity Prices in the Kaesong Markets
11. In mid-June 1953 the South Gate and North Gate Markets in Kaesong were moved into
the vicinity of the former Kaesong Distillery. This was done to ease the
traffic situation in the center of Kaesong. The markets were frequented by
merchants from Sinuiju; Wonsan, and P'yongyang. Government-owned stores and
consumer's associations handled merchandise at a lower price than the markets,
but fewer people bought at these stores because of the poor quality. In late
July 1953 the following commodity prices were in effect in the Kaesong markets;6
all prices were in North Korean won:
Commodity
Unit3
Rice
1 small mal
1,100
Soybeans
1 small mal
6oo
Barley
.1 small mal
600
Wheat
1 small Mal
#00
Millet
1 small mal
800
Beans, red
1 small mal
1,100
Distilled spirits
1 sung
goo
Liquor, fermented, low quality
1 sung
250
Liquor, fermented, high quality
1 sung
350
Kerosene, white
1 sung
2,000
Kerosene, pink
1 sung
1,200
Oil, mobile
1,000
Gasoline
1 sung
800
Diazine (sic)
15
Quinine
15
Gold
9,000
Ciagrettes, (C)
Taesaengsan (Great Production)
1 pack
200
Nakhsan (parachute)
1 pack
150
Sinsaengsan (New Production)
1 pack
150
Cigarettes, Sungni (Victory) (NK)
1 pack
80
Toothpaste (C)
1 tube
250
Toothpaste (NK)
1 tube
80
Toothbrush (C)
1
x+00
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Commodity Unit
Price
Soap, Laundry (C) 1 bar
200
Soap, toilet (C) 1 bar
1+00
Cream, facial (C) 1 jar
1,200
Cream, facial (NK) 1 jar
180
Comb (NK)
500
Comb (SK) 1
250
Sneakers, basketball (C) 1 pair
1,600
Shoes, white rubber, women's (SK) 1 pair
1,300
Shoes, white rubber, men's (SK) 1 pair
1,500
Fountain pen (C) 1
1,200
Lighter, cigarette (SK) 1
800
Lighter, cigarette (J)
1,600
Flashlight (C) 1
1,500
Batteries, flashlight (C) 1
800
Matches (C) 1 pack
25
Matches (NK) 1 pack
10
12, In late July 1953 the following commodity. prices were in effect in one of
the consumer's association stores in Kaesong; all prices were North Korean won:
Commodity
Unit3
Price
Pork
1 kun
boo
Beef
1 kun
300
Eggs
1
25
Seaweed
1 kwan
~ , l+00
Pollack
Soy sauce
20
I sung
150
Distilled spirits
1 sung
850
Tobacco
1 kilogram
300
Toothbrush and toothpaste
1 set
90
Soap laundry
Socks, cotton
1 bar
1 pair
8o
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CONFIDENTIAL
Commodity
Shoes, leather
Shoes, rubber, women's (NK)
Hat, Panama
Cotton cloth, coarse
Cotton cloth, fine
Pencil (H)
Pencil (NK)
Matches
Commodity Prices~in Sinn'b -
1 pack
1,500
600
400
575
80
17
13. On 20 June 1953 the following commodity prices were in effect in Sinn'o (N 40-02,
8
-- --
E 12
-12) (DV-3231); all prices were in
Commodity
Rice
Rice for dough
Rice, imported
Millet
Sorghum
Bears, red
Beane, soy
9oysauce
Mackerel
Turbot, large
Turbot, medium
Turbot, small
Pork
Chicken
Oxen, large
Liquor
Noodles, cold, Korean
Penicillin, effective until 1952
CONFID TIAL
Unit3
1 small mal
1 small mal
1 small mal
1 small mal
1 small mal
1 small Mal
1 small mal
1 sung
1
1
1
1
100 momme
1
1 head
1 sung
1 bowl
1 bottle
Price
1,200
2,, 400
950
1,200
700
1,300
600
70
20
16
15
7
150
900
40,000
1,300
150
3,200
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Commodity
Unit
Price
Penicillin, effective until
1953
1 bottle
4,000
Diazine(NK)
1 tablet
20
Diazine (sic) (US)
1 tablet
60
Aspirin (NK)
1 tablet
100
Cigarettes (C)
1 pack
300
Tobacco
1 kilogram
320
Soap, toilet
1 bar
400
Soap, toilet (C)
1 bar
9o0
Soap, laundry, made of fish oil
1 bar
150
Soap, laundry (C)
1 bar
400
Towel
1
800
Socks
1 pair
250
Sneakers, basketball
1 pair
2,000
Shoes, black, rubber, men's
1 pair
1,400
Shoes, black rubber, women's
1 pair
1,200
Lighter, cigarette
1
1,500
Flint for lighter
1
100
Notebook
1
50
Pencil
1
5
Commodity Prices in T'oejo
14. On 23 June 1953 the following commodity prices were in effect in T'oe,jo (N 39-54,
E 127-46) (CV-9517); all prices were in North Korean won:
Commodity Unit3 Price
Rice 1 large mal 3,200
Rice, imported 1 large mal 2,700
Millet 1 large mal, 2,700
Sorghum 1 large mal 2,000
Beans 1 large mal 2,200
Bean oil, soy 1 sung 1,200
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0
Commodity
Unit
Price
Soy sauce
1 sung
65
Beef
160 momme
250
Pork
160 momme
250
Chicken
1
6oo
Liquor., Korean
1 sung
1P000
Cigarettes, 20 per pack
1 pack
70
Tobacco
1 kilogram
300
Diazine
1 tablet
75
Penicillin,. effective until
1952
1 bottle
3,000
Penicillin, effective until
1953
1 bottle
3,800
Tooth powder
1 package
25
Toothpaste
1 tube
150
Toothbrush, bamboo handle
1
75
Soap, laundry, made of fish oil
1 bar
120
Soap, laundry (C)
1 bar
250
Towel
1
600
Hemp
1 meter
480
Cloth, high quality cotton
1 meter
500
Cloth, medium quality cotton
1 meter
250
Cloth, low quality cotton
1 meter
125
Shoes, black rubber, men's
1 pair
2 600
Shoes, blue rubber, women's
1 pair
3,000
Paper, high quality, white
1 large sheet
100
Paper, low quality, white
I large a11eet
75
PenQil
1
3
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The Yon 8n People's Market
15. In mid-July 1953 the Yongyon People's Market was at XC-722303 in Yongyon-myon
(N 38-11, E 124+-58) (XC-7228). The market was open to business on the 5th,
19th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 30th of each month. Many other markets in the area
closed when the myons were abolished, therefore approximately 1,000 persons
assembled at the Yongyon Market because of the convenient location. There were
no permanent stalls in the market place, and most peddlers carried their goods on
bicycles, push-carts, and bullock-carts.
16. Marine products and chickens were the chief commodities in the springtime; wheat
and garlic in the summertime; and grain and hand-woven cotton cloths in the
wintertime. State-owned stores sold North Korean hemp, cotton cloths, approxi-
mately 200 packs of cigarettes, 50 packs of matches, and 30 bars of soap each
day. Private merchants dealt in Japanese, Manchurian, and North Korean materials.
There were a few South Korean and United States items for sale in the market. On
1 June 1953 approximately 80 bags of agricultural products were brought to the
market each day, and they were broken down as follows:
a. Approximately 240 small mal of rice.
b. Approximately 80 small mal of soy beans.
c. Approximately 80 small mal of millet.
d. Approximately 60 small mal of sorghum.
e. Approximately 120 small mal of corn.
f. Approximately 15 small, mal of red beans.
g. Approximately 15 small mal of green peas.
h. Approximately 160 small :mal of wheat.
i. Approximately 25 small mal of potatoes.
J. Approximately 16 small mal of barley.
k. Approximately 5 small mal of sesame.
Commodity Prices in the Yongyong People's Market and the Changyon People's Market
17. On 1 June 1953 the following oomoalty prices were in effect in the Yong?n
People's Market and in the Changro"n (N 38-150 E 125-05) (XC-8235) People's
Market.7 All prices were in North Korean won:
Commodity Yjnit3 Price
Rice 1 small mal 10300
Soybeans 1 small mal 600
Millet 1 small mal 10100
Sorghum 1 small mal 600
Barley 1 small mal 500
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Commodity
Unit
Price
Beans, red
1 small mal
800
Peas, green
l small mal
1,000
Sesame
1 small mal
1,300
Buckwheat
1 small mal
6oo
Wheat
1 small mal
800
Potatoes
1 small mal
350
Corn
1 small mal
6oo
Pepper, red
1 small mal
650
Sesame Oil
1 hop
250
Soy bean oil
1 hop
175
Liquor, Korean
1 sung
1,100
Apples
35
Pears
100
Eggs
25
Chickens
1,300 - 1,400
Pigs
1
5,000 - 8)000
Calves
1
5,000- 18,000
Beef
1 kun
400
Pork
1 kun
450
Seaweed
1 bundle
16o
Kerosene
1 hop
400
Gasoline
1 drum
130,000
Cigarettes, Puns brand
1 pack
70
Cigarettes, Sok brand
1 pack
30
Matches
1 pack
30
Soap, laundry
1 bar
400
Soap, toilet (M)
1 bar
700
Toothbrush (M)
230 - 400
Toothpaste
250 - x+00
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Commodity
Cream, cosmetic (M)
Shorts
T-shirts
Towels
Socks
Caps; boys
Sneakers, athletic
Sneakers, working
Shoes, rubber
Wristwatch (US)
Lighter, cigarette
Fountain pen (M)
Pencil
Penholder
Pen point
Comb
Mirror, pocket
Needles (M)
Calico
Rayon
Silk
Twill
Cotton cloth
Cotton cloth (C)
Suit cloth (M)
Cotton cloth, coarse
Hemp cloth
(M)
1 jar
1 pair
1 6oo
1 300
1 pair 130
1 6oo
1 pair 1,500
1 pair i,6oo
1 pair 1,500
1 40,000 - 50,000
2, 5 00 - 3, 000
1,000 - 1,500
30 - 40
1 100
1 80
1 200
1 50
1 pack 300
1 yard 450
1 yard 300
1 foot 600
1 root 500
1 yard 500
1 yard 550
1 yard 500
1 p+il 1,500 - 2,000
1 p'il 7,000 - 8,000
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The Changyon People's Market
18.. On 1 June 1953 the Changyon People's Market, was at XC-81+6293. When the myons
were abolished in North Korea in February 1953, eight market areas were closed
in the Changyon area, and four remained open; one at XC-81+6293, one in Yongyon-
myon, one in Namch'ang, and one in Sinup. Many other markets were closed
because of United Nations bombings.
19. The Cbangyon People's Market was open on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, 26th,
and 31st of each month. Approximately 150 persons assembled in the market each
day. There were no permanent stalls in the market, and peddlers brought their
wares by bicycles or carried them. State-owned stores and consumers' guilds
operated in the market place. The market moved to this location in February 1953
because of United Nations air raids. Fruits were the chief commodities during
the summer, and. livestock, grains and cloth were the major commodities in the
autumn. Most of the merchandise sold in the market was made in Manchuria or
North Korea. All types of fabrics, with the exception of raw cotton which was
government controlled, were sold in the market. A few South.Korean and United
States items were also sold in the market. Policemen continually patrolled the
market to watch for illegal raw cotton dealers, South Korean merchandise, and
United States drugs. On 1 June 1953 approximately 50 chickens and 10 pigs were
for sale in the market, along with the following amounts of grains:
a. Ten small mal of rice.
b. Forty small mat of millet.
c. Sixty small mal of soy beans,
c., Forty small mal of sorghum.
e. Eight small mal of barley.
f. Twenty small mal of red beans.
g. Ten small mal of green peess
h. Two small mal of sesame.
i. Four small mal of oats.
j Sixty small mal of wheat.
Commodity Prices in Chans?n-gun Consumers' Association Store
20. On 1 June 1953 the following commodity prices were in effect in the Changyan-
Consumers' Association Store; all prices were in North Korean wont
Commodity U it3 Pry:
Soy bean oil 1 kilogram 700
Apples 1 70
Socks 1 pair 100
Socks (M) 1 pair 250
Sneakers, working 1 pair 900
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2004/02/19 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002700400007-1
 Approved For Release 2004/02/19 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002700400007-1
25X1A
CONFIDENTIAL
Commodity
Unit
Soap, toilet
Soap, laundry (M)
1 bar
1 bar
250
Toothbrush
1
Toothpaste
1 tube
180
Cream, cosmetic
1 jar
250
Cigarettes
1 pack
70
Matches
Pencil
1 pack
1
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~, ?~. a Qr,ents
25X1A
1. For a comparison of staple food prices with those reported for the
Pyongyang area in July 1952,
2. Letter symbols indicating the origin of the goods appearing in this list
have been inserted i pdiately tollowin the name of the item. The key to
these letter symbols is as follows: (C , China; (M), Manchuria; (e), U8SRj
r
N
)
none 'vao given,
The western equivalents of Korean units of measurement used in this repo t
are as follows; small mal, about 1.03 pecks; large mel, 2.05 pecks; kuu,
1.323 pounds or .6 kilograms; momme, 3.75 grams] sung, 1.8 liters) hop,
.16 quart; p'i1, 55 feet; kwan, 8.27 pounds. Where no unit of measurement
appears, none was given,
I1
, North Mores; (gK), South Korea; (UF),United States; (C8), Czeohoslovakiaj
Z), Switzerland; (J), Japan; (R), Eungaxy. Wh '* thee is 'no'',1R ? symbol
4, The original report included a column headed "Ration Prices" which pros ,hly
meant "Ration Points," and which included the following figures: 1 meter
of Chinese-made ootton cloth, 50 (points); 1 meter silk shirt materiel, 351
3 meters Soviet-made suit material, 80; 1 meter Soviet-m,de ootton cloth,
15; women's rubber shoes, 30; sneakers, 250.
5, Judging from previous reports on market prices in the P yongyang area, one
mal is probably intended to mean one small mat.
6.
The commodity prices in the xongyon People's Market and the phangy n
People's Market were the same with the following a ceptions: one small of rice coat 1,350 won in the Obangyon Market; one small Mal of millet cost
1,150 won; and one pack of matches cost 70 won,
C0 'ID iTTIAL
Approved For Release 2004/02/19 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002700400007-1