A high-level official at a provincial State Security Department [SSD] unit was caught aiding a military supplies factory worker in defecting, an incident
Pyongyang will treat as an “espionage case” and hold those involved accountable
for, Daily NK has learned.
“A high-ranking security official was exposed trying to help
a worker at a military supplies factory near Jonchon County, Jakang Province,
to defect after receiving money, a source in North Hamkyung Province reported
on September 30th. “The SSD has determined this is
a case of espionage and is investigating all suspected of involvement in the incident.”
Jonchon County is well known as being the heart of
production for the North’s military equipment. The SSD likely concluded
the accused official was attempting to smuggle out classified military
information and therefore ruled it as an espionage case.
“This incident involves not just any average person, but a
military factory worker, a high-ranking official with the SSD, and a border
guard, which is why the SSD is taking it so seriously,” Daily NK’s informant
explained. “Provincial SSD officials are also concerned about the potential
chain of responsibility and repercussions.” He added that this case could lead
to a shuffle in SSD senior officials, because it is related to the munitions
industry instead of general manufacturing.
The related provincial SSD unit has been on emergency duty
since the occurrence, and the head of smaller units, such as the Inminban
[people’s unit], tasked with monitoring residents, have also been closely
watching members of the public.
Ostensibly, local residents have not been rattled by the
calamity, saying, “Whatever matter of urgency people are confronted with, they
must deal with. For us, it’s the harvest that’s important, and that’s all we
need to worry about.” Others have taken the opportunity to vocalize their
discontent, “These recurring issues we see with the SSD simply mean the
organization is rotten to its core.”
“They’ve [the SSD] has executed people for smuggling goods,
so they can’t afford to keep this person alive just because he’s a high-level
security official,” the source said, conveying the opinion held by many on the
matter.
Meanwhile, North Korea said earlier this year it would step
up punishment for those caught placing phone calls to people outside of the
country, and security officers turning a blind eye to residents trying to defect, following a series of amendments made to the
country’s penal code. The source cited this as the primary reason why people
there are attentively watching how this particular case will be handled by the
state.
