Rice transplanting season — the most critical period in North Korea’s agricultural calendar — dominated state media this week with farmers, students, soldiers and ordinary citizens all reportedly mobilized for the effort. 

As rice is the staple crop for most North Koreans, securing a strong harvest carries enormous weight for both the population’s livelihood and political stability. Because of its importance, transplanting will likely remain the dominant theme in state media coverage through early June. 

This week also saw the conclusion of the 9th Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, which