North Korea’s latest must-have status symbol revealed… and you won’t believe how basic it is
You can tell a North Korean’s status in life by looking at the brand of product they buy
THE latest must-have status symbol in Kim Jong-un’s impoverished state can today be revealed – toilet roll.
And not just any old toilet tissue - swanky soft two-ply toilet paper imported from neighbouring China.
Flush North Korean shoppers who can afford the extra lolly for the backside-friendly product carry it cradled in their arms back from the market to show off the packaging to their jealous neighbours.
Kim’s home-produced harsh single-ply paper costs just 6p a roll.
But the superior Chinese stuff is four times the price and is a sign of economic wealth in a state where the average citizen earns £3-a-DAY.
A defector told South Korean online newspaper Daily NK: “While Chinese-made toilet paper tends to be two-ply, North Korean paper comes in both single-ply and two-ply versions. The Chinese product is more expensive.
“You can tell someone’s status in life by looking at what brand of toilet paper they buy.
"Some merchants noted that certain housewives purposefully buy the good stuff to show off their wealth.
“When wealthy customers stroll by their stand in the marketplace, vendors tend to really target them and try to sell the high-quality paper.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
The paper also reported that North Korea women dying to glam-up their image risk being sent to one of Kim’s network of labour camps – for tinting their hair.
Traders are making a mint flogging hair dye imported from China to Kim’s subjects who want to lighten their black locks.
But the regime regards the make-overs as unpatriotic and anti-socialist and repeat offenders could end up in a gulag for their fashion faux pas.
Human rights groups estimated there are up 200,000 people locked in the so-called re-education camps where brutal punishments and sexual torture are commonplace.
The Daily NK reported the trend had taken off in the northern city of Chongjin which is close to the border with China.
A source said: "There have been people before who dyed their hair lighter a few years ago, but recently the number has increased dramatically.
"Of course, the young people also fear punishment so they dye their hair lighter, but not too dramatically so, and try to avoid crackdowns by wearing a hat or covering their hair with scarves.
“But they are willing to take risks and keep dyeing their hair. Women in their 20s want to dye their hair lighter at least once.
“They don’t associate dyeing their hair with disloyalty to the state. They just want to be allowed to express themselves.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368