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N. Korea tightens grip on Chinese residents, fearing foreign influence

The North Korean government has stepped up surveillance of Chinese residents, fearing they could threaten internal stability by introducing foreign information and goods into the country. 

“Many wealthy Chinese residents here have connections with state security officials, and their contacts have been warning them to be careful lately. That’s probably why we’ve seen them keeping a low profile these past few months,” a source in North Pyongan province told Daily NK recently. 

“When tensions are high, surveillance becomes so bad that it’s best to assume state security agents can hear every word you say. I was warned by my local state security agent in mid-October not to bring anything related to South Korea into the country,” a Chinese resident of Sinuiju said. 

“At one point, I casually remarked that North Korea could become the richest country in the world if it would only cooperate with South Korea. To my shock, the state security official somehow heard about it and told me to be more careful. These days, I even get nervous when I listen to the voice recordings on our South Korean rice cooker.”

Chinese residents in North Korea face a unique predicament: while not as isolated as North Korean citizens, they’re far from free, facing heightened scrutiny during politically tense periods.

Though border reopening has restored their ability to visit China, authorities are increasingly wary that these residents might import outside information and South Korean products. This surveillance has intensified following Kim Jong Un’s recent declaration of inter-Korean relations as “between two hostile states and two warring states.”

Customs officials have ramped up inspections of both commercial and personal items brought across the border, specifically targeting South Korean-made goods. In response to the tightening controls and rising tensions, Chinese residents are keeping a low profile – many have even stopped using their Chinese cell phones that provide connection to the outside world.

Chinese residents have been trying to keep quiet since North Korea’s foreign ministry released a statement on Oct. 11 claiming that South Korea had infiltrated Pyongyang with drones dropping propaganda leaflets.

“When things get ugly, Chinese residents of North Korea make it a point to cut off contact with the outside world, stay on their best behavior, and play it safe. It’s a survival strategy they’ve learned through years of experience,” the source said.

Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.

Please send any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.

Read in Korean

October 31, 2024 at 04:06AM

by DailyNK(North Korean Media)

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