North Korea’s Propaganda and Agitation Department has initiated inspections of how local agencies and organizations are handling and storing important documents.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a North Hamgyong Province-based source informed Daily NK on June 27 that rigorous inspections began in North Hamgyong and Yanggang provinces along the China-North Korea border on June 20, following orders from Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The inspections aim to prevent internal documents and materials from leaking out of the country, a task deemed politically crucial by the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
“The Central Committee’s Propaganda and Agitation Department believes that due to Chinese-made mobile phones often contacting people outside the country in border areas, any mishandling of party or classified documents could lead to state secrets being instantly handed over to North Korea’s enemies. This could result in serious national security incidents,” the source explained.
Officials from the Central Committee frequently cite Kim Yo Jong’s orders, emphasizing her desire for harsh punishment of document mishandling to maintain party unity and purity. Offenders are to be punished severely and reassigned to prevent future infractions.
Provincial library under investigation for mishandling documents
Two Propaganda and Agitation Department officials are currently in North Hamgyong Province. Along with two provincial party committee counterparts, they are checking for issues in document storage, handling, and management of published orders, while identifying other problems as well.
Issues have already surfaced in two departments, with two officials forced to write self-criticism statements. The inspections also include non-party organizations responsible for document and publication storage. The provincial library in North Hamgyong Province is currently under investigation for issues in the storage of party documents.
“Central Committee officials warned that if the provincial library is in this condition, there will likely be issues with all libraries in the province. They plan to make random sweeps of libraries in border cities,” the source said.
Organizations awaiting inspection are anxiously considering how to address potential problems, given the serious political implications of these inspections.
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
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July 04, 2024 at 11:58AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)