＜Inside N. Korea＞The 'Last Stronghold' of Defection in Crisis: Security Bureau Receives Commendation for Crackdown Success - Smuggling and Defections Nearly Eradicated

The Security Bureau (secret police) in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province in northern North Korea, reportedly received a commendation late last year for its successful crackdown on the border area with China. Located along the upper reaches of the Yalu River, Hyesan City has been the largest and "last stronghold" for smuggling and defections along the 1,400km North Korea-China border. Kim Jong-un's regime continues its "sweeping operations" in the area. (ISHIMARU Jiro / KANG Ji-won)

◆ Hyesan: The Main Hub for Defections and Smuggling

Since its establishment in 2012, the Kim Jong-Un regime has struggled with the illegal movement of people, goods, money, and information. The regime has built wire fences along the entire North Korea-China border and strengthened surveillance and control of residents in border areas in an attempt to eradicate these activities. However, Hyesan had somehow managed to maintain both smuggling and defection operations.

Smuggling and border crossings have thrived in Hyesan for over 40 years. This is due to "favorable" conditions: the width of the Yalu River is only a few dozen meters at this point, and ethnic Koreans make up 16.7% of the 72,000 residents in Changbai County, Jilin Province, across the border. (Population statistics as of late 2023, according to the Changbai County government)

Hyesan City has become the primary target of crackdowns under the border closure policy implemented since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Security Bureau's commendation suggests these efforts have yielded results.

◆ Rigorous Crackdown on Chinese Mobile Phones

A reporting partner, A, who lives in Hyesan, relayed the following information directly from a security officer:

"The Hyesan Security Bureau, which had consistently ranked last each year, received a commendation from the central Security Department late last year. This was due to their successful management of residents through effective crackdowns on Chinese mobile phones, smuggling, and border crossings into China. Some security officers even received cash rewards."

The security authorities are particularly vigilant about smuggled Chinese mobile phones. In border areas within range of Chinese signals, these phones are virtually the only means of communicating with the outside world and are essential for smuggling, defection, and illegal money transfers.

They also serve as crucial channels for leaking internal information to the outside world. ASIAPRESS also maintains regular contact with North Korean reporting partners using Chinese mobile phones.

North Korean authorities constantly emit jamming signals to disrupt communications. Additionally, security officers patrol the streets and villages near the border carrying signal detectors.

"They are re-summoning and interrogating people who previously used Chinese mobile phones. They're also asking neighborhood units to report households spending money inconsistent with their income, offering rewards for information. Those reported are subjected to house searches," (Reporting Partner A)

*Neighborhood units are the lowest administrative organizations, typically consisting of 20-30 households, or about 60-80 people.