How do North Korean awards hit the market?

[Tal Inbar]

I wonder - North Korea is STILL communist country, not like USSR, DDR and other ex-communist countries. I assumed that awards from this state will not be on the markets until th unification with South Korea.

Were I made my mistake? (the question is also suitable for China).

[Tretov]

I think the North Korean awards sold on eBay are manufactured in China. Or in case they are made in North Korea, they slip over the border and are then sold through China... There are a lot of more or less dubious NK items on eBay.

[charlet]

I think the North Korean awards sold on eBay are manufactured in China. Or in case they are made in North Korea, they slip over the border and are then sold through China... There are a lot of more or less dubious NK items on eBay.

I fully agree. National flag orders sold at 15usd is not a normal situation. Our Chinese friends work a lot.

[Lapa]

Guys,

Maybe that will sound stupid, but:
1. I don't believe that the North Korean border is that permeable
2. I can't even begin to understand why the North Korean mint would strike so many orders. Given everything that has been on the market so far, they must have had plans to award every living and future NK citizen a whole bagful of awards.

Marc

[new world]

NK awards are moved through the Chinese border and that are sold in open market.

Out of all NK awards only early Soviet- and Chech-made pieces are really collectable, the rest of items - unless it's some rare and limited award - are plantiful and cheap.

William

[Esteban_cool]

And given the situation, it would not be that hard to bribe NK Borderguards to let some items get pass the border. Armed forces members have a less worse living there, but even in a communist country people like to have more...

Besides, taking in mind that Mr. Kim´s hobbies are pretty expensive (fine liquors, beautiful women, computers and Wi-Fi), I think there is a high possiblity that the government itself via the state mint sells the returned awards (i.e deported, "enemies of the people", re-educated or executed individuals´, and they´re definitely not a small number) to chinese dealers.

[Felix]

We have some chinese members on this board, maybe they have an explanation.

[Lapa]

Guys,

Let's keep in mind that there is a grand total of 23 million North Koreans. IMHO, the number of awards on the market is not in line with this amount of people.

Marc

[Tretov]

But yet - the few NK awards I have are absolutely not mint condition, they look worn and the metal is faded...I doubt those are newly made :confused: And still the cost for those awards were not that expensive. On the other hand, being used to the prices for Soviet awards, a National Flag III at 10 USD IS cheap.

[Esteban_cool]

Guys,

Let's keep in mind that there is a grand total of 23 million North Koreans. IMHO, the number of awards on the market is not in line with this amount of people.

Marc

You are right, but all the classes of the National Flag Order and lots of other awards can be awarded multiple (and I mean multiple) times. A lieutenant can have at least 2 NFs of each class, being that 6 NFs only for a single junior officer, counting his/her other awards, like MMM, Soldier´s Honor Orders and medal, and so on. It may not be in line with the population, but of those 23 million, 2 of those are military. 2 million of walking christmas trees whose awards find their way to China after death, imprisonment or defection. And there are civilians as well.