{"id":4529,"date":"2020-04-14T16:17:36","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T07:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4529"},"modified":"2020-04-16T16:31:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T07:31:26","slug":"high-schooler-smuggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2020\/04\/news\/high-schooler-smuggle\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Smugglers: High-Schoolers Sneak into China to Smuggle and Steal for their Families\u2019 Futures"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A thin-looking officer shops for groceries at a market. Photograph taken in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, in August 2013 (ASIAPRESS)<\/p><\/div>\n

With the Chinese border remaining sealed to block the spread of coronavirus, the North Korean economy continues to deteriorate. According to a reporting partner speaking from Ryanggang Province in early April, a growing number of North Korean citizens are now taking the risk of illegally crossing into China to smuggle or steal.<\/p>\n

In late January, the Kim Jong-un regime sealed the border with China to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. As such, all trade was suspended. The daily commodities for which North Koreans relied upon Chinese producers to supply were blocked at the border. In addition, movement controls were also tightened, paralyzing all logistics.<\/p>\n

In late March, trade at the border between Sinuiju and Dandong was partially resumed. However, the blockade, which was in place for over 2 months, had already dealt a serious blow to North Korea\u2019s poorest classes, who had been making their living from trading and transporting goods.<\/p>\n

In desperation, some have begun crossing the border themselves. For many, their objective is smuggling. The reporting partner explained, \u201cWith orders from merchants, the smugglers go across to buy shoes or clothing, miscellaneous goods, and cooking oils from counterparts on the Chinese side. With the coronavirus situation in China more or less settled, the border security forces have also relaxed their discipline. In fact, smuggling is being resumed with the soldiers\u2019 cooperation.\u201d According to the reporting partner, soldiers are starving as well.<\/p>\n

As part of the regime\u2019s coronavirus prevention measures, the North Korean authorities had earlier tightened control of the border area and warned that those caught smuggling or even approaching the Yalu River would be punished under military law.
\nNext page :High schools students cross into China to steal for their parents...<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25c6 High schools students cross into China to steal for their parents<\/p>\n

Another reason for crossing into China is theft. The reporting partner explained, \u201cThings have gotten very serious for those who have lost their only means of cash income. So some high school students have been making crossings into China to help their parents. They go across to steal from private homes. But because the security over there is quite tight, there are also many who go to remote fields to steal ginseng.\u201d<\/p>\n

The students sometimes remain in China for up to a few days at a time while they smuggle or steal but there are some who never return home. Many parents are said to be worried about \u201cwhether their children will be caught or killed in China.\u201d (Kang Ji-won)<\/p>\n

\u203b ASIAPRESS contacts reporting partners in North Korea through smuggled Chinese mobile phones.<\/p>\n

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