Propaganda slogan in North Pyongan Province calling for people to protect trees. (Daily NK)
North Koreans are struggling to stockpile firewood for winter heating as prices surge beyond most families’ reach. With harsh winters lasting months in border regions near China, households typically begin winter preparations in September—but this year’s price spikes have made such planning nearly impossible.
A Daily NK source in North Hamgyong province reported recently that “most families start gathering firewood for winter in September, but this year, four out of five households can’t even consider preparing firewood.”
Border region residents usually begin collecting kindling for heating and cooking in late summer. They do this both because autumn brings soaring demand that drives up wood and coal prices, and because market-bought fuel is often damp and needs two months of storage to dry properly.
However, as incomes stagnate while costs skyrocket, families find themselves unable to afford winter preparations even as cold weather approaches.
Prices triple as incomes stagnate
“These days, with prices continuing to climb, a cubic meter of firewood costs an average of 350,000 North Korean won,” the source explained. “You used to get that much for 100,000 won, but prices have tripled.”
“Since costs keep rising while incomes stay flat, nobody can even think about preparing firewood,” the source continued. “When two or three days of work barely buys a single meal, everyone’s worried about what’s ahead, and just getting by day-to-day has become much harder.”
Put simply, when families can barely afford food, stockpiling firewood becomes impossible.
Food prices have also skyrocketed. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 5,000 won could buy one kilogram of rice at market. Now that same amount buys only 200 grams—a stark illustration of how financial hardship and food shortages have worsened alongside rising prices.
The crisis extends beyond North Hamgyong province. “As exchange rates soar, a cubic meter of firewood costs about 370,000 to 400,000 won,” reported a source in Ryanggang province. “We usually prepare kindling between late summer and early autumn, but this year, you can count on one hand the number of people buying firewood by the cubic meter.”
“If exchange rates keep climbing like this, firewood prices will inevitably rise even more in winter,” the source warned. “This year, food prices have tripled from normal levels, so people are worried about how they’ll survive both the cold and hunger of winter.”
Families who couldn’t afford cubic meters of firewood previously bought small bundles for 3,000 won. These bundles now cost 6,500 won—more than double the previous price. Even chakhwatan, a cheaper fuel made from coal powder mixed with sawdust, has become unaffordable for many.
Turning to illegal electricity theft
In response, people are bribing enterprises that receive electricity to illegally siphon power. Even pooling money for bribes proves challenging, so households often split the costs.
“If you have money to steal electricity, buying an electric heater to warm your home costs less than preparing firewood,” the Ryanggang province source explained. “So as more households can’t afford firewood, more people are doing whatever they can to steal electricity.”