“People overcome the shortage of electricity on their own. They import a large number of batteries from China. In addition, there are many households that have bicycle generators," he said. "Even though no electricity is provided by the state, people can manage to get by. Indeed, they get used to the shortage of electricity and can solve the problem on their own."
Auto batteries are highly sought after in cities, since the batteries can be recharged.
Cities are powered twice daily from 8 am to 1 pm and from 8 pm to 11 pm, times during which people charge their batteries.
In rural areas, bicycle generators are common sources of electricity. “Many rural villages have received no electricity from the state since the arduous march," or the mass starvation period in the 1990s, the visitor said. "Even if the state does provide electricity, some rural villages would not be able to receive it because electric poles have been uprooted at many places," the visitor said. “So a great number of rural people began to use bicycle generators to generate electricity on their own."
A generator is connected to the rear wheel of the bicycle and peddling produces electricity, although it is unsteady.
Asked if North Koreans complain about the shortages, the visitor said: “Do you think the government has ever provided anything for its people? These days, people have become accustomed to making a living with their own hands even if there is no provision from the government.”
