In North Korea, unauthorized slaughter of livestock has been banned ahead of national holidays

In North Korea, the unauthorized slaughter of livestock has been banned ahead of national holidays.

The Cabinet of North Korea has sent instructions to provincial agricultural management committees prohibiting the unauthorized slaughter of livestock and the unofficial distribution of dairy products. Daily NK reported this, citing a source in South Hwanghae Province.

These measures were introduced ahead of the Chuseok holiday, celebrated at the end of September, and the Party Foundation Day of the Workers' Party of Korea, held on October 10.

Livestock farms have been ordered to fully register all livestock. It was stated that those who slaughter cows, pigs, and goats without authorization for personal consumption or sale in the market will face "strict legal liability."

Farms must also accumulate as much milk, cheese, and butter as possible by the end of September, send them to the center, and keep them in reserve to supply the population of the provinces. It was ordered to record the amount of butter and cheese in the accounting ledgers down to the exact gram and to store the products in sealed warehouses.

The instruction also prohibits farm managers from misappropriating dairy products for personal use or selling them externally at the "special price" set for employees.

"During every holiday, meat and dairy products were distributed among livestock bases, and managers and workers would keep a certain share for themselves. Now, orders have been given to prevent such situations from the very beginning. Therefore, the situation on the ground is tense," said the Daily NK source.

According to the publication, farm workers are dissatisfied with this decision because they are being deprived of free products and cheap food provided on the occasion of the holidays. It is said that some managers, fearing unexpected inspections by government inspectors, are rewriting the accounting ledgers and adjusting the numbers to match the actual reserves.