Greenhouses become new source of income in North Korea

North Korea is increasingly building greenhouses in coal-mining areas as part of efforts to rebuild its economy hit by U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions, according to sources familiar with Pyongyang.

The measure comes after the UNSC sanctions aimed at curbing exports of North Korean coal, one of the country's main income sources, were introduced because of the North's nuclear program.

"We can't export coal, so we've changed our lifestyle," a source in South Pyongan Province said on condition of anonymity.

The source claimed provincial residents were building greenhouses to "make a living," adding, "It will be hard to find a household that hasn't built a greenhouse in the coal mine regions."

Another source said more than 80 percent of residents in Tokchon, a provincial city, had greenhouses, which the authorities had encouraged.

The greenhouses are used to grow cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. The vegetables are sold to Sinuiju and Pyongyang using taxis and privately operated trucks.

Read more at The Korea Times (Yi Whan-woo)