For a long time, coffee has been seen as a symbol of capitalism in North Korea, usually only accessible to foreign tourists. However, a trend of coffee consumption is emerging in the country, with coffee shops popping up and this beverage gradually replacing cigarettes as a tool for bribing officials. The price of coffee in the country is exorbitant, making it unaffordable for the average person, as a cup of coffee is more expensive than a bottle of liquor, rendering it a luxury only for the elite.
According to Radio Free Asia, for many years, coffee in North Korea was only served in hotels accommodating foreign tourists, but it began to appear on the market in the 2010s. Now, coffee shops have sprung up in cities like Pyongyang like mushrooms after the rain.
A resident of South Hamgyong Province in North Korea told the radio station that coffee used to be seen as a luxurious symbol of capitalism incompatible with socialism, but now, drinking coffee has become a trend among local officials.
For the ordinary North Korean, coffee is very expensive, so it is mostly consumed by the wealthy elite.
However, a resident of North Hamgyong Province mentioned that the general public is learning about coffee culture from illegal smuggling and foreign films imported into North Korea.
The resident said, “To be trendy, some people drink coffee on holidays, but for the general public, it’s still a bit too early to drink coffee regularly.”
Tea is also rare in North Korea due to its cold climate unsuitable for growing tea trees. North Koreans typically drink liquor, which tastes similar to vodka.
The resident of South Hamgyong Province said, “In rural areas, the price of a cup of coffee exceeds that of a bottle of liquor, so ordinary residents dare not drink it. But officials and wealthy people drink coffee every day.”
For North Koreans, a bottle of liquor costs less than 3,000 North Korean won (35 cents), while a cup of coffee ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 North Korean won (35 to 60 cents). Foreign tourists pay around $5 for a cup of coffee, approximately 14 times the price of a bottle of liquor.
For ground coffee beans, the price ranges from 50,000 to 80,000 North Korean won ($6 to $10) per 200 grams. Adding sugar increases the price by 20,000 North Korean won ($2.35) per kilogram, making it even more unaffordable for North Koreans.
The resident of North Hamgyong Province revealed that coffee is beginning to replace traditional cigarettes and has become an essential gift for bribing officials.
He said, “Nowadays, officials seem more interested in coffee because cigarettes are harmful to health.”
The resident of South Hamgyong Province mentioned that a recent official asked him for coffee and sugar. Although he thought it was a waste of money to give these items, he did so without hesitation because he believed he might need the official’s help sometime.
The resident of North Hamgyong Province mentioned that North Korea does have coffee production companies, but wealthy individuals prefer imported coffee from foreign countries.
He said, “Local coffee with ginseng is good, but officials prefer coffee from Brazil or South Korea.” He added that he recently used South American coffee to bribe an official, hoping to secure a recommendation for his son to enter university.