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Stephan Haggard Quoted on N. Korean Protests

N. Koreans protest over power cuts

02/22/2011
AFP

Scores of North Koreans have staged a rare public protest against power cuts and food shortages, a South Korean newspaper reported Wednesday.

"We can't live! Give us light! Give us rice!" the protesters shouted, according to Chosun Ilbo newspaper which quoted a North Korean source.

It said the demonstrations took place at Jongju, Yongchon and Sonchon in the northwestern province of North Pyongan, two days before the birthday on February 16 of leader Kim Jong-Il.

"At first, there were only one or two people, but as time went by more and more came out of their houses and joined in the shouting," the source said.

Open protests in the tightly-controlled communist state are rare, although a bungled currency revaluation in late 2009 reportedly sparked public unrest.

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Stephan Haggard can provide commentary on current developments in the Asia-Pacific, including particularly Korea, and on the politics of economic reform and globalization.

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