The North Korean authorities have mobilized
an inspection task force of State Political Security Department (SSD) forces to
border districts in an effort to curtail remittance flows from South Korea. The
effort aims to stamp out threats these activities pose from longing for life in
the South evoked among residents.
A source in North Hamgyung Province
reported to Daily NK on August 28th, “The task force started two weeks ago in the
Hoeryong and Musan regions of Hamgyung Province. The primary goal is to stem
the flow of money coming in from the South.”
It is not a recent development for
defectors who reside in South Korea to send money to remaining family members
in North Korea, however, the specific formation of a task force portends the
gravity of the situation. Anyone caught receiving remittances
from South Korea, or placing outside calls, will be charged with “anti-state
crimes” and punished severely. There is testimony perpetrators will be sent to
a reeducation camp for a minimum of one year to await official sentencing.
Those in border regions are not alone in
receiving aid from families residing in South Korea; the practice is prevalent
throughout the North. Brokers, crucial in the remittance process, receive
punishments on par with those doled out to residents. “The State Security
Agency is cognizant of all defector families, smugglers, brokers, and anyone
else involved in the remittance system. They keep meticulous tabs on their
every move, taking note of their regular patterns; if there is even a hint of
something askew, they will tail them to the scene of the crime, and, raid them,”
he explained.
“Phones are occasionally operational in
downtown Hoeryong, so there have been instances where residents have been
busted in their own homes by the SSD. They go about this by setting a trap
that involves briefly connecting the phone, then, ambushing the unassuming
suspect when the deed is done.” SSD-operated radars in the district are randomly employed to better track citizens who make remittance-related
phone calls.
The inspection unit is part of the 27th
unit of the SSD, the division tasked specifically with managing of mobile radar
detection, and consists of about 100 surveillance agents divided into groups of
3 to 4 members. As the investigations began security officials at all levels
worried about possible implications–many have long turned a blind eye to
remittances coming into the North in exchange for portion of the funds.
Security personnel involved in illicit
operations are urging residents to maintaining “a vow of silence” on the matter,
as if they are caught, there is a high probability their underhanded
transactions would quickly be exposed.
“Security agents in the border regions are
just as much involved in remittance operations, so it’s mutually beneficial for
both parties to keep a tight lid on these corrupt dealings,” he noted. Paid only slightly more than average
residents, even the most frugal of security agents are not left with enough money to support
themselves. To supplement their paltry
incomes, they bribe residents for a percentage of the funds they receive from
relatives in South Korea.
“If you’re particularly lucky, and the
officer knows your face, there is a good chance that you can clear the debt after
paying the 2000 RMB fine. For everyone else, payment is not enough to solve the
issue and they are dragged off the reeducation center,” he said, predicting that the SSD’s firm grip of control over the operation is likely to see more
stringent provisions, leading to harsher repercussions for those caught in its
wake.
However, money is the one loophole
connecting residents, brokers, and smugglers alike, “The only way to escape detainment is with money,
but there is no standard amount,” he said, noting the anxiety residents
feel about the ambiguous terms of payment. Most security
officials who are part of the task force have benefited from corrupt dealings
in the remittance operations at one time or another; at this stage, no amount
of control can succeed in thoroughly shutting down the established network.
