North Korean logistics officers increasingly exploit grain ratio fraud during the annual state grain collection drive. This practice matters greatly because rising rice prices now amplify illicit profits and worsen food inequality nationwide.
Officials from multiple agencies oversee work units that supply grain to the state. These units follow ranking systems that assign different rice-to-corn ratios. Higher-ranked groups deliver pure rice, while lower-ranked groups provide various mixed-grain combinations.
However, many officers ignore these rules during collection. They often focus only on meeting required weights, which allows grain ratio fraud to flourish within the system. Officers frequently remove rice and replace it with heavier mixed grain, securing surplus rice for private sale.
Families linked to logistics officers often store corn throughout autumn to support these substitutions. This preparation helps officials swap grain quickly and conceal their actions.
Rice currently costs more than three times as much as mixed grain. Because of this gap, officers describe the season as a profitable moment. They increasingly share earnings with senior leaders to protect their roles and strengthen internal alliances.
Powerful managers usually claim the best rice, leaving lower-level workers with poorer-quality rations. This outcome deepens frustration among citizens who depend on rice as a staple food. Many residents note that promised rice never reaches ordinary households.
Furthermore, these practices widen economic inequality across work units. Many workers feel helpless because they cannot challenge officials involved in grain ratio fraud. Their anger continues to grow as mixed grain replaces expected rice in their rations.
Analysts believe the situation could worsen without stronger oversight. They argue that corruption within grain collection threatens social stability, especially during ongoing food shortages. Observers warn that rising resentment may spread if authorities fail to address the behavior soon.
