A surge in fortune telling among North Korean officials reveals deep political anxiety within the state. Since the new year began, officials and their families have secretly visited fortune tellers. This activity persists despite an official ban on such superstitious practices. Consequently, this trend underscores significant fear ahead of a major party congress. The gathering could trigger a large-scale reshuffle of government positions.
Sources indicate officials from South Pyongan province are particularly involved. They seek predictions about their professional fates for the coming year. State security officers know about these visits and sometimes patrol the locations. However, the fortune tellers often bribe these same officers for protection. Therefore, a cycle of corruption perpetuates the banned practice widely.
One specific case involves a provincial prosecutor’s official. This individual faced punishment for releasing a drug offender illegally. A fortune teller then advised hosting a shamanist ceremony and bribing superiors. The official consequently spent a large sum on the ritual. He also gifted the fortune teller a valuable electric bicycle.
In another instance, a party official’s wife sought guidance. She paid ten kilograms of rice for a family fortune reading. Her husband had recently written a compulsory self-criticism letter. This pervasive political anxiety drives even high-ranking individuals to seek reassurance. The higher the official’s rank, the more obsessed they reportedly become.
Payment for these services varies significantly by the type of service provided. A simple fortune reading typically costs around ten kilograms of rice. Conversely, a full shamanist ceremony can cost hundreds of US dollars. Some cautious officials summon fortune tellers to their private homes secretly. They must still avoid detection by local neighborhood watch units.
The phenomenon extends beyond just government officials this year. Ordinary citizens are also visiting fortune tellers in large crowds. Everyone wants to know what the new year might hold for them. This widespread activity presents a clear dilemma for state security forces. Their superiors demand a harsh crackdown on these superstitious acts.
Nevertheless, the officers themselves are compromised by the system regularly. They accept bribes and even get their own fortunes read sometimes. This corruption makes genuine enforcement actions relatively rare. The situation highlights a fundamental weakness in state ideological control. The underlying political anxiety is stronger than official doctrine.
This behavior occurs ahead of the Ninth Party Congress early next month. The event will likely clarify future leadership and policy directions. Such uncertainty naturally fuels fear among the bureaucratic class. The reliance on fortune telling reflects a lack of institutional trust. Officials seek external validation where party assurances feel insufficient.
The implications for regime stability are subtly concerning for analysts. A leadership class seeking mystical guidance may signal deep insecurity. Furthermore, systemic corruption between fortune tellers and security agents is endemic. This dynamic could undermine discipline and ideological cohesion long-term. The state faces a paradox in enforcing its own strict rules.
Future steps may involve a more concerted crackdown after the congress concludes. Alternatively, authorities might ignore the practice as a pressure valve. The government rarely publicly acknowledges such internal social reports. Monitoring changes in official rhetoric on superstition will be crucial. The situation offers a rare window into the mood of North Korea’s elite.
