https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/north-korea-inns-prostitution-02122024142720.html
The move targets informal innkeepers and prostitution.
“In Ryanggang Province, if you only sleep at a private inn, the cost of lodging is 4,000 won (47 cents),” she said. “If you include a bottle of alcohol and a meal, the cost is 15,000 won ($1.78).”
That's it, I'm retiring to North Korea.
People are vacationing in North Korea?
Oh, it's for North Koreans who vacation in other parts of North Korea. Because they can't vacation in South Korea.
Wait, people have money in North Korea? Wait, wait, people have enough money in North Korea to rent an air BnB? Wonders never cease.
It's old people renting out part of their home for a few days. That's probably neither expensive nor comfortable.
theres always some form of an upper class. the upper class in NK generally are the citizens allowed to do business in China legally.
But private inns have not been eradicated because the elderly residents have no other way to make a living.”
Wait, why aren't people taken care of in totality? Isn't that the point of their authoritarian system?
They probably give you enough to not totally starve quickly but any luxury like maybe fresh food or say a favorite tea would mean finding some way to pay. Just guessing.
I am guessing most people are growing produce and keeping chickens etc if they can. Not see easy if you live in a massive, brutalist apartment block. Probably better eating in the country but more risk of freezing in the winter. All in all, I think I'll put off my plan to relocate there.
Most interviews with escaped North Koreans state the opposite. They are expected to be very self reliant while not having much to begin with. Farmers typically get most of their grain taken away with no compensation and have to survive by foraging, etc.