North Korean traders have ordered a large shipment of spy camera glasses from China, Daily NK has learned. The cameras will likely be used for undercover investigations by the country’s state security apparatus.
A source in China told Daily NK recently that North Korean traders ordered thousands of spy camera glasses in early March.
Last month, the traders visited a wholesale electronics district in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to purchase a large quantity of glasses with hidden cameras.
The cameras are concealed in the temples of horn-rimmed glasses, allowing users to take photos or record video discreetly, without the attention drawn by carrying a regular camera.
North Korean traders purchased the spy glasses at 800 Chinese yuan each (approximately $110 USD).
While spy glasses typically cost over 1,000 yuan (about $138 USD) at regular electronics stores elsewhere in China, they’re considerably cheaper in Guangzhou’s wholesale district.
The traders shipped the glasses to Jilin province before sending them across the border from Changbai to Hyesan, North Korea, in Ryanggang province.
Since the spy glasses aren’t officially imported by North Korean authorities, they had to be brought in through unofficial trade routes between Changbai and Hyesan, despite higher shipping costs, the source explained.
Most contraband entering North Korea comes through Changbai or Hunchun in Jilin province to Hyesan in Ryanggang province or Rason in North Hamgyong province.
After entering North Korea, the entire shipment was reportedly sent to Pyongyang.
“The Ministry of State Security apparently ordered these spy glasses. While other North Korean organizations engage in smuggling, only an organization as powerful as the ministry could import such a large quantity,” the source said.
The ministry’s control over smuggling and distribution channels enables it to import spy cameras despite sanctions violations and their use in illegal activities.
The Ministry of State Security asked traders in China to order the spy cameras for various policing activities, including undercover and plainclothes investigations.
“North Korean traders in China are planning to bring several more shipments of spy cameras into North Korea,” the source added.
March 28, 2025 at 04:18PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)