North Korean Couples Mark Engagement With Mobile Phones

In North Korea, giving engagement rings and exchanging wedding bands are not common practices. Instead, young couples with enough cash to spend are now opting for mobile phones where engagement gifts are concerned.

A source based in North Hamgyung province said, "In small and mid-sized cities, the top-ranking present for tying the knot is no question the mobile phone. After that, come couple rings."

Mobile phones have become a status symbol for the younger generation of elites, with usage on the increase around the country, The Guardian reports.

As of May last year, there were more than 2 million subscribers, meaning that roughly one out of 12 North Koreans owns a mobile device.

Phone ownership is still relatively uncommon among women who are not engaged to be married.

"Apart from women in affluent families, if you're from a poor family or single, it's hard to own a mobile phone," the source said. "Women have so much to invest in, like household goods, cosmetics and clothes, that it's hard for them to think about getting one of those devices."

She added: "Compared to local [North Korean] phones, foreign [South Korean] handsets look fancier, and smart phones are especially popular."

Simple mobile phones sold at local telecom device shops in every region of the North fetch US$200-300 (more than 25 000 North Korean won). The North Korea-made Arirang Touch Phone smartphone goes for US$400, according to a survey conducted in June.

Given that 1kg of rice sells for roughly 6,500 North Korean won, these devices come with a hefty price tag. As a result, it is mainly the children of Party cadres and the upper-middle classes who exchange phones as gifts after getting engaged, the source said.