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"X-mass Season" in N. Korea, the "Paradise of the Working Class"

KCNA 'reported' the following about events, incl. a booze-up(*), happened Dec. 24, aka the "Christmas Eve":
  
Dancing parties of youth and students took place here and in various provinces, cities and county seats of the country on Friday. They were to celebrate the 19th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army and the 93rd birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.

As song "Please Receive Our Salute" reverberated far and wide, youth and students presented merry dances, extending profound thanks to Kim Jong Il who has developed the KPA into invincible revolutionary armed forces of Mt. Paektu and brought about a great change in building a rich and powerful country.

They also presented graceful dances to the tune of songs "The Tuman River Full of Memories" and "Triumphant War Song in Forest," looking back with deep emotion on Kim Jong Suk's noble revolutionary career and undying feats.

Dancing parties held in various parts of the country successfully represented the will of the youth and students to devotedly defend Kim Jong Il and give steady continuity to the tradition of Juche.

http://175.45.179.68/eng/i_news.php?lang=eng&year=2010&kk=8036

* For more please read the following KCNA 'news reports':

☞ Banquet Given by Central Military Commission of WPK and NDC of DPRK
☞ Kim Jong Il Enjoys Art Performance

But in reality millions of 'ordinary' N. Koreans (the inhabitants of the "Paradise of the Working Class"!!^^) are struggling only for survival, as the following example describes the current situation in the 'DPR'K:

The residents of Hamheung city in South Hamgyong Province are complaining about not being able to sleep because of the bone-chilling cold temperature as cold weather continues as falling temperatures plummet below freezing point.

Although officials and the wealthy can stock up plenty of coal and firewood at home, the ordinary citizens can only obtain them as needed.

They try to get firewood when they are unable to obtain coal and collect leaves and twigs when firewood is not available. On the days when none of those are available they cannot even dream of heating, so they use fuel only for cooking rice only for a minute.

The children who are not mature enough to understand the situation whine about being cold, and old people groan in pain instead of complaining verbally.

It is so cold that frost and water droplets can be seen along the inner walls of the house, and white steam out of your breath is visible even inside a room as you wake in the morning and talk. People sleep with their clothes on because of the cold temperature.

For that reason many people keep the same clothes on throughout the day and night. They keep the outdoor clothing while living in the house during the day and then go to bed wearing the same clothes because the temperature inside and outside is not that much different.

People would be able to stand the cold weather if they can fill their stomach a little bit, but the days of cold and hunger are continuing because there is not enough food...

Source: NK Today ("Good Friends/좋은벗들")