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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1805　12 October 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1101)　10 October 1950

PW was cooperative. He was assigned to the 6th Div as an observer to collect material for a stage play, but after 2 days with the division he had to retreat. He lacked military information but was familiar with daily conditions in NK as of 1 Sep 50. PW stated that he was once a land owner and also of the intelligentsia, so he was on the communist blacklist.

1 Sep 50 - PW was called by the NKA to gather data on the NKA Campaign in S K so that he could write a book or a play. At this time there were six other writers called. Although the writers were supposed to be civilian observers with the Army, it was decided that there would be less Red Tape if they were given a Captain’s uniform.

2 Sep 50 - The seven writers were assigned to different Divisions. PW was told to report to the cultural officer of the 6th Div.

19 Sep 50 - Arrived 6th Div Hq, about 3 km E of PANGSONG.

21 Sep 50 - Withdrew to a point 12 km W of PANSONG (班城).

22 Sep 50 - Withdrew to CHINJU,

o/a 23 Sep 50 - Withdrew to SANCH’ONG.

o/a 24 Sep 50 - Arrived HAMYANG.

o/a 26 Sep 50 - Evacuated to NAMWON. Here the 6th Div Hq was split up. The main elements had been disorganized.

o/a 27 Sep 50 - Departed NAMWON by using the mountain route. Progress slow because of a sprained ankle. He heard the best escape route to NK would be through MUJU (茂朱).

o/a 29 Sep 50 - Arrived near CHANGSU.

o/a 2 Oct 50 - As he was passing through CHANGSU (長水) he was spotted by US Troops and was captured.

As of about 26 Sep 50 the 6th Div had no communication with the Div Hq. All troops were making a run for the 38˚ Parallel, since they had no definite orders to regroup or to assemble in any specific place.

The Writer’s work in NK was limited to Economic Problems and benefits provided by the People’s Government. All Literature was censored by the People’s Party’s Censorship Section.

Writers were to elaborate on the heroism and the NKA battle successes.

Rationed Items: Rationed only to essential workers and Public Officials. The price of rationed items was less than half of the market price. Following items were rationed.

1. Rice: ½ quart daily ½ ration to dependents.

2. Soap: 3-4 bars yearly.

3. Cotton Cloth 6 m per year.

4. Socks 6 prs yearly.

5. Towel.

1. Rice (½ adulterated with wheat or soy beans) 950 won per ½ bushel.

2. Soap (Laundry) 150 won per bar.

3. Soap (Face) 30 won per bar.

4. Cotton Cloth - 500 won per M.

5. Cotton Socks - 120 won per pair.

6. Fish (Mackerel) - 20 won per fish.

7. Wool Suit (Used) - 15,000 won.

All commodities were available at the market place for a price. Monthly wage for a common laborer varied between 1,000 to 1,200 won. For a factory technician, 1200 to 1500 won and for an office worker 1200 to 1400 won. The minimum subsistence requirement was between 1m000 to 1,200 won.

A great deal of smuggling was believed to be carried on from MANCHURIA. All types of cotton goods and clothes from MANCHURIA were available on the market. Fish were available at reasonable prices since NK fishing industry seemed to be unaffected by the war.

All commodities on sale on the public market place were blackmarket prices. No legal action was taken against these blackmarket activities since these operators paid taxes from the sales. However, there were Government operated stores which tried to discourage the

patronizing of blackmarket shops. The government operated stores had limited stock of inferior quality, so the public still patronized the blackmarket shops.

Many of the people who received Government Rations sold the commodities at Blackmarket price. Rationed items resold for over double the price.

There were no price control laws in effect, but there were times when the local Police set a temporary Price Control on Rice. Often after an Air Raid the price would almost double due to speculation by the wholesalers. The price dropped a little between raids but never back to the original price.

There were no laws against hoarding, & since the Blackmarketeers had cash on hand they would bup up and hoard and then resell, thus controlling price to their desire.

Majority of the people are eating millet in place of rice. Prices of commodities have soared beyond the wages. The strange part of the North Korean inflationary price is that by looking at the market there seemed to be no scarcity of commodities yet prices are high. It does not follow the law of supply and demand.

Since the start of war there has been an acute shortage of Pharmaceutical Products. Prior to the war the most effective way to cure an illness was by buying US Drugs from the Blackmarket and going to the hospital to be treated with these drugs.

The biggest problem confronting NK mothers is what to do if their children should become seriously ill. In a hospital with 500 patients there would be only one or two doctors. Thus, individual care could not be given patients. Doctors could only spare a few minutes on each patient, and after doctors diagnosed the illness they had no drugs available to administer, consequently people often did not seek medical aid when ill.

The NKA did not draft all eligible doctors. In a hospital with a staff of 12 doctors about 2 were not drafted. Luckily there has been no epidemic in NK as of 1 Sep 50. The most common illnesses in NK are tuberculosis and intestinal disorders.

For the Commanding Officer: