Around 1998, the North Korean authorities began replacing the slogan "Arduous March" with new ones such as "Forced March" and "Building a Strong and Prosperous Nation," and they are said to have declared the end of the Arduous March around 2000.
As the jangmadang markets expanded, food began to circulate through channels other than the state rationing system.
South and North Korea drew closer and began to cooperate economically.
Against this backdrop, South Korean instant coffee sold in the jangmadang began to be consumed in North Korea as well.
