No more showing off?

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200505/200505090010.html

Pyongyang Residents' Food Rations Stopped
Pyongyang residents, normally a relatively privileged class of North
Koreans, have had their special food rations suspended since early April, it has
only now emerged.
"Since mid-April, special food rations for Pyongyang
residents have been suspended, and they are getting increasingly anxious," a
North Korean official involved in trade with China said. He said food rations
for people on the outskirts of Pyongyang had been cut off since the start of the
year. This is the first time since the height of the reclusive country's food
crisis in 1998 that residents in the capital have had their rations cut.
Food prices have skyrocketed as a result, with 1 kg of white rice going in
the markets for W1,000 (US$1) -- nearly half the wages of ordinary North Korean
laborers, who make around W2,500 a month.
North Korean authorities have
tended to supply rations, however meager, to Pyongyang residents no matter how
difficult the situation. But now they are only available to high-ranking
government and party officials, the Ministry of the Protection of State Security
and police.
One high-ranking defector said, "During the food crisis of the
mid-1990s it was unprepared ordinary North Koreans who starved to death, but
this time losses will be heavier among the privileged and military because
ordinary people no longer depend on rations and have got used to difficulty."
Dr. Seo Jae-jin of the Korea Institute for National Unification said one reason
for the shortage was that international food aid to North Korea has been on hold
since the beginning of the year. But he said it was also possible rations were
suspended "to eliminate the privileges of Pyongyang residents and end
discrimination against people in the provinces."

Well, far be it from me to wish ill-will upon anyone but hey, this one does not break my heart. What I'm curious about is this; will the special "foreign tours" be exempt from this? Will Foreigners get to chow down in the Capitol while watching the masses stare at them?

Seriously though, this could be another spin along he same lines as "the taking down, then putting back up" of Kim Jong Ills photos awhile back.