As a young radio announcer in the North Korean city of Hyesan, Park Ju-hui used to tread gingerly through streets strewn with corpses on her way to work. Nearly 20 years since the devastating famine of the mid-1990s, life is very different.
“Women are wearing clothes – from Japan or South Korea – that show off their figure if they have some money, and cosmetics from South Korea, too,” says Ms Park, who defected to South Korea in 2012. She remains in touch with family in Hyesan thanks to a mobile phone illicitly brought from China. “Seven out of 10 homes have colour TV, and people can afford to make meat broth once a month?.?.?.?The quality of life has improved a lot.”
At first glance, her testimony might seem encouraging for Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s young leader. Since he came to power just over two years ago he has stressed a desire to strengthen the economy and “improve the people’s standard of living” – a phrase that appeared seven times in his latest new year address.