Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

PYONGYANG, North Korea - One of stalls in Pyongyang sells freshly made food in a photo taken on Nov. 24. Semi-private markets in North Korea, which first began operating in mid-2003 to complement the role of state-owned stores, have become an indispensable part of people's lives in the country.

Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People working or living near Pyongyang crowd stalls which sell roasted chestnuts, Korean-style pancakes as well as cooked meat and fish in a photo taken on Nov. 22. Semi-private markets in North Korea, which first began operating in mid-2003 to complement the role of state-owned stores, have become an indispensable part of people's lives in the country.

Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

PYONGYANG, North Korea - One of semi-private markets in Pyongyang is crowded with shoppers in a photo taken on Nov. 11. The market that attracts an average of over 10,000 people a day has numerous individual stalls that sell rice, meat, vegetables and fish, as well as daily necessities including clothing. Such markets which first began operating in mid-2003 to complement the role of state-owned stores have become an indispensable part of people's lives in North Korea.

Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

Semi-private markets becoming part of N. Korean life

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People buy daily necessities at one of semi-private markets in Pyongyang in a photo taken on Nov. 11. Such markets, which first began operating in mid-2003 to complement the role of state-owned stores, have become an indispensable part of people's lives in the country.