Many N.Korean forest rangers are abusing their authority to obtain bribes
11 March 2022
Published by: https://www.dailynk.com
NORTH KOREA – In the wake of an order by North Korean authorities to bolster efforts to prevent forest fires, many forest rangers in the country are abusing the order so they can obtain bribes.
According to a Daily NK source in Yanggang Province on Thursday, the authorities issued the order on Sunday to bolster the role of forest rangers in preventing forest fires.
However, some forest rangers are reportedly using the order as an opportunity to make money.
Forest rangers in North Korea manage forests within their jurisdiction under the auspices of local people’s committees. Some of them are apparently taking advantage of the authority they have.
North Korea suffers shortages of kindling material, which forces most people to find firewood in the forests. Many people also engage in unsanctioned hillside slash-and-burn agriculture.
Accordingly, North Koreans have naturally come to believe they need forest rangers to provide them with “protection” so that they can farm in the mountains or collect firewood in the forests.
Ironically, this trend has grown even more pronounced under Kim Jong Un, whose government has stressed forest protection and forestation. Many North Koreans now even say that forest rangers “have grown rich without fanfare.”
The source said most residents of agricultural villages must collect wood from hillside forests to cook or heat their homes. He said locals bribe forest rangers with cigarettes, alcohol, or KPW 5,000 in cash to enter the mountains.
This could change as the authorities emphasize efforts to prevent forest fires. Forest rangers who find themselves having to disobey official orders are now demanding bigger bribes because of the added “risks.”
The source said a man surnamed Kim who lives in Samsu County had been making a living selling firewood he collected by bribing forest rangers. However, he can no longer do so with forest rangers tripling their price.
The source further reported that other forest rangers are making money by demanding firewood merchants turn over half their profits.
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