North Korea is reportedly charging fixed rates for its electricity supply.

Japan's Sankei Shimbun quoted a document obtained from a North Korean defector as saying that electricity rates for the use of a single television has been fixed at 45 won per month.

It also said North Korean residents may pay half their monthly electricity fees during power outages for more than two weeks.

The document was apparently issued by North Korean authorities and cited strict orders from Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-il to enforce the price regulations.