Editing Economy of North Korea (section)

====Food distribution system====
Since the 1950s, a majority of North Koreans have received their food through the [[public distribution system (North Korea)|public distribution system]] (PDS). The PDS requires farmers in agricultural regions to hand over a portion of their production to the government and then reallocates the surplus to urban regions, which cannot grow their own foods. About 70% of the [[Demographics of North Korea|North Korean population]], including the entire [[urban population]], receives food through this government-run system.<ref name="FAO-WFP-2013"/>

Before the floods, recipients were generally allotted 600–700&nbsp;grams per day while high officials, military men, heavy laborers, and public security personnel were allotted slightly larger portions of 700–800&nbsp;grams per day.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Goodkind|first1=Daniel|last2=West|first2=Loraine|title=The North Korean Famine and Its Impact Demographic|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2695207|journal=Population Council|jstor=2695207|access-date=March 8, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308114755/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2695207|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2013, the target average distribution was 573 grams of cereal equivalent per person per day, but varied according to age, occupation, and whether rations are received elsewhere (such as school meals).<ref name="FAO-WFP-2013"/> However, as of 2019, this number has been reduced to 312 grams per day according to an investigation conducted by the [[United Nations]] between March 29 and April 12.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/north-korea-food-insecurity-food-aid/|title=North Korea Cuts Food Rations to Just 11 Ounces per Day|date=May 3, 2019 |access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219010000/https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/north-korea-food-insecurity-food-aid/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Decreases in production affected the quantity of food available through the public distribution system. Shortages were compounded when the North Korean government imposed further restrictions on collective farmers. When farmers, who had never been covered by the PDS, were mandated by the government to reduce their own food allotments from 167 kilograms to 107 kilograms of grain per person each year, they responded by withholding portions of the required amount of grain. By 2008, the system had significantly recovered, and, from 2009 to 2013, daily per person rations averaged at 400 grams per day for much of the year, though in 2011 it dropped to 200 grams per day from May to September.<ref name="FAO-WFP-2013"/>

It is estimated that in the early 2000s, the average North Korean family drew some 80% of its income from small businesses that were technically illegal (though unenforced) in North Korea. In 2002 and in 2010, [[Jangmadang|private markets]] were progressively legalized.<ref name="atimes-20110923">{{cite news|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/MI23Dg02.html |title=It's not all doom and gloom in Pyongyang |publisher=Asia Times |date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=October 9, 2011 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924095232/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/MI23Dg02.html |archive-date=September 24, 2011 }}</ref> As of 2013, urban and farmer markets were held every 10 days, and most urban residents lived within 2&nbsp;km of a market, with markets having an increasing role in obtaining food.<ref name="FAO-WFP-2013"/>

In recent years the government policy shifted towards a more controlled commercial networks, by restricting local markets and pushing sales in State-Owned Stores.<ref name="rfa.org">{{cite web |last1=Ahn |first1=Chang Gyu |title=Illegal nighttime markets pop up in North Korea |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/markets-02282024155938.html |website=RFA |access-date=9 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425153144/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/markets-02282024155938.html |archive-date=25 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="North Korea Restricts Local Markets">{{cite web |last1=Jeong |first1=Yon Park |title=North Korea Restricts Local Markets, Pushing Sales in State-Owned Stores |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/markets-06032021152857.html |website=RFA |access-date=9 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224134223/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/markets-06032021152857.html |archive-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>