North Korean state security operatives along the border with China are embroiled in a round of secret searches of residential homes and have begun using up-to-date bugging technology as part of efforts to restrict the cross-border movement of information and people, sources report to Daily NK.

One source from North Hamkyung Province told Daily NK on the 7th, ¡°When I came home just a while ago I found the whole place turned upside down. I don¡¯t know who did it, but it had been searched.¡±

¡°First I thought that a thief had gotten in, but absolutely nothing was taken,¡± the source went on to explain. ¡°A number of photos were scattered on the floor, though, and my heart sank when I knew that I¡¯d been secretly searched.¡±

According to the source, the North Korean security forces¡¯ modus operandi is usually to enter and search homes quite openly and at random, for instance when checking for illegal residents or the presence of illicit CD and DVD recordings. However, recent searches in the local area are said to have taken place in secret, and since residents are uncertain what is being sought many have grown fearful of falling foul of the state.

The source further alleged that the authorities have been making use of up-to-date bugging technology to maintain civilian surveillance. He explained, ¡°A few days back, someone from my neighborhood was arrested by the State Security Department. Apparently they¡¯d bugged her house without her knowing and she got caught phoning someone in South Korea.¡±

North Koreans, especially in the border region, are accustomed to dealing with the technology that the authorities use to tap phone conversations, and act with care to avoid getting caught. However, the source said nobody is prepared for bugging equipment located under linoleum flooring or elsewhere in their homes. ¡°Who would know if there was a bug attached to their transformer?¡± he asked.

Ordinarily, when accusations of a political nature are received or uncovered, the Department of State Security uses local collaborators, of whom there are many, to gather evidence using miniature recording devices. However, this evidence suggests extensive usage of up-to-date bugging technology as well.

A Yangkang Province source provided anecdotal evidence in support of the information from North Hamkyung Province, revealing news of ¡°recent people¡¯s unit meetings attended by officers from the Ministry of People¡¯s Security in which they ordered anyone who has used a Chinese cellphones to turn themselves in¡± before announcing, ¡°Since we have recordings of all calls to South Korea or China, now is the time to arrest illegal callers.¡±

Sources say that when added to the ongoing usage of advanced cellular signal detectors along the border with China, just the possibility of a bug installed in one¡¯s home makes it hard to build trust, not only with friends and acquaintances but even family members.