N. Korea troubled by rising rice prices, currency depreciation
SEOUL, Aug. 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has been plagued by rising rice prices and the falling value of its currency since the inauguration of its young leader Kim Jong-un, a government source here said Thursday, an apparent reflection of the northerners' anxieties over the inexperienced son of former leader Kim Jong-il.
Prices of official market-traded rice, a staple for Koreans, have increased sharply, while the North Korean won has taken a dive since Kim Jong-il died suddenly last December, the source said.
