conspicuous consumption in north korea

(No comments. The news speaks for itself.)
In line with the UN sanctions imposed on North Korea in the wake of Pyongyang's nuclear test last month, Japan has announced the ban on luxury exports to that country.
According to the Japan Times, "the 24 items include beef, tuna meat, caviar and its substitutes, liquor, cars, motorcycles, motorboats, yachts, watches, cameras, audio and video devices, movie and music software, jewelry, carpets and tobacco. Kim (Jong Il) is believed to favor such items for his personal use as well as to give away as rewards for loyalty among Pyongyang's power elite, government officials said. We have (chosen) goods that are likely to be used by (government and party) executives, and those they are likely to give to their subordinates, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a news conference."

Reference:
Yoshida, Reiji. Banned goods to North listed. The Japan Times. November 15, 2006. (here)