North Hamgyong province has launched a crackdown on popular illegal surgeries and procedures, calling them “capitalist behavior.” Provincial authorities have mobilized law enforcement agencies to carry out harsh crackdowns, following a policy directive from the executive council of the provincial party committee.
The “non-medical surgeries” criticized by the province are illegal cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery, facelifts, and tattoos performed at home, rather than health-related treatments performed in official hospitals, a source in the province recently said.
The province has strongly warned that it considers these illegal procedures to be based on capitalism, and that making money from them is anti-socialist behavior and a challenge to the regime.
“The crackdown began in mid-August,” the source said. “The authorities in Chongjin and Kimchaek, in particular, have already launched a full-scale crackdown on people performing non-medical procedures, which they have discovered through police boxes and neighborhood watch units.”
During the crackdown, mobile strike teams from municipal police departments have been conducting surprise home inspections. Some people have fled their homes to avoid the crackdown and are now wandering aimlessly.
The source said that the provincial party committee’s offer of rewards for reporting illegal surgeries has bred mistrust among locals, with people informing on acquaintances for personal gain. Many argue that economic hardship forces them to engage in these illegal activities for survival, despite state prohibitions.
Public unease is growing due to rampant corruption during the crackdown. Those with connections to powerful officials are avoiding punishment, while mobile police strike teams are accused of taking bribes to overlook illegal activities. This selective enforcement has further fueled frustration and resentment among the population.
The Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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September 25, 2024 at 06:00AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)