What do North Korean rice prices say about the supreme leader's power?

The cost of rice stabilised in North Korea over the past three months, suggesting that supreme leader Kim Jong-un was strengthening his grip on the military, said an expert at a South Korean state-funded think tank.

The all important price of rice, which hit highs of 7,000 won (US$7.8) per kilogram between January and April, was stable at 5,500 North Korean won (US$6.1) per kilogram May through July, according to data from the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU).

The stabilisation is a result of the North Korea’s military releasing its rice war supplies on the orders of Kim, senior researcher Park Hyung-jung of KINU told the South China Morning Post.

“Nothing happens in North Korea without the orders of Kim Jong-un, so the release of military reserves shows that he is in control of the military,” said Park.

North Korea’s top leader Kim Jong-un has been trying to consolidate his control over the military since he took power in late 2011. To this end, last July, he reportedly removed military chief Ri Yong-ho from his post, allowing Kim to take more control over the military, which was seen as the backbone of his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung’s power.

The food situation is a major issue for the reclusive, communist country that commonly encounters famine and food shortages.