robbery and murder becoming more common because of desperation due to sanctions..

another article from DailyNK

https://www.dailynk.com/english/residents-concerned-over-rise-in-violent-crime-in-north-korea/

North Korea doesn't care about Human Rights of other countries, either

  We know about the dire human rights situation in NK.
And situations like NK is not alone, although the causes are all similar.
China's persecution of political dissidents and religious groups, Pakistan's intolerance toward non-Muslims, or Syrian regime's brutality toward children are all to be condemned. But like NK, Iran (after the establishment of Islamic regime in 1979) also has the highest record of Human Rights abuses.

Iran claims to ensure religious rights, but Bahai faith is banned, and Bahais aren't allowed to enter universities. Other religious members other than Shia Islam also face limitations;
Iran claims to ensure rights for people to protest peacefully, but many of them who participate in protests and strikes are arrested, imprisoned and died;
Iran claims to ensure women's rights, but all women, including foreign visitors, must wear hijab (Islamic veil) in public. Those who disobey face fines and arrests;
Iran claims to ensure Human Rights, but never care about ethnic minorities and gender minorities. Similar to NK, executions and floggings are performed in public, while not allowing kissing and couples holding hands.

The cause, a totalitarian regime, and the situation, is very similar to NK, where no religious rights, dissident's rights, women rights and any kind of minority rights is ensured. And what is NK's attitude toward this?

The picture below was the resolution toward Iran's Human Rights last year (and this year they voted again recently, with same results).
Who voted "against" the punishment and solutions toward this (red)?
We are not surprised to find that those who condone Iran's abuses are countries with the same degree of crime toward Human Rights.
Besides NK, there're Central Asian countries, Islamic countries and Communist/Socialist countries. And interestingly, many countries among these maintain good ties. (E.g. NK have good ties with Iran, China, Russia etc.)

Similar to the solution toward NK, USA and some other countries are sanctioning Iran. But the most effective way, is to sanction the INDIVIDUALs that have been or continues to pose a severe threat toward Human Rights, such as some high-ranking government officials.
In this way, people won't be affected by the economic shortage and can get rid of the tyrants.

Rason special economic zone like a ghost town

article from DailyNK
because of the sanctions, no one is willing to invest in this area.
the pictures tell the story

https://www.dailynk.com/english/photos-of-north-korea-special-economic-zone-reveal-impact-of-sanctions/

Chinese product wholesale area of Rason. Image: Daily NK

Apartment complex in Rason. Housing prices in the area have doubled since early 2018. Image: Daily NK

Residential and commercial complex. The building on the left was intended for foreign renters but is mostly vacant. Image: Daily NK

Exterior of Rason Market. Image: Daily NK

typhoid fever is back in the North...

short article out of asiapress reporting a typhoid outbreak in Hoeryong City in the far northeast.

several people have did as a result and probably more to come.

http://www.asiapress.org/rimjin-gang/2018/12/society-economy/typhoid-fever-outbreak/

tickets for Voices of North Korean Refugees event on sale...

just got an email stating that the event is happening and tickets are on sale for a very reasonable $20

so if you are in the Boston area, stop by Cambridge on saturday, january, 19, 2019

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-of-north-korean-refugees-stranger-tickets-52607324925?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

Japan finds more wrecked and dead north Korean fishermen off its coast..

an article from the rimjingang / asiapress site.

it's obvious the fishermen are desperate or being pushed or both otherwise they would not venture so far out.

http://www.asiapress.org/rimjin-gang/2018/12/recommendations/2018-drifting-boats/