Smuggling routes frozen in Dandong after crackdown

Sources in North Korea report that smuggling in the border regions of Dandong (Liaoning Province) and Sinuiju (North Pyongan Province) have come to a virtual standstill following recent crackdowns by China’s Ministry of Public Security.
 
“The Chinese authorities have intensified crackdowns even on small-scale individual smugglers in Dandong. As it’s difficult to avoid these crackdowns, most smugglers have just stopped,” a source familiar with North Korean affairs in China recently told Daily NK.
“The authorities have blocked the major smuggling route near the Amnok (Yalu) River with sand and rocks.”
Smuggling ships in Dandong have also reportedly stopped operating.
According to the source, most smugglers in Dandong have drawn their boats onto the land for repairs, as they can no longer do business. “The smuggling boats weigh about 40-50 tons and mostly trade in North Korean marine products like fish, crabs and shellfish,” he said.
The Chinese authorities have strengthened crackdowns in order to show their willingness to implement the new UNSC resolution against North Korea. 
China’s public security officers and border guards have intensified crackdowns on maritime smuggling since May. Following the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2371 on sanctions against the North in August, they began to monitor roads near the Amnok River area in patrol cars.
The Chinese government has actively arrested North Korean residents as well as its own citizens during the intensified crackdowns.
It appears likely that the crackdown on smuggling in the Dandong region will continue for the foreseeable future, with the explanation that the measure is to “protect China’s own citizens.”
“After an incident in August in which a smuggling ship overturned leaving 10 Chinese people dead or injured, the Chinese authorities have further strengthened their crackdowns on smuggling,” a separate source in China with knowledge of the matter said.
The North Korean authorities, despite being in desperate need of foreign currency, are also taking actions of their own. “Recently, it has become difficult to make phone calls due to North Korea’s strengthened jamming of radio signals, but as it has in the past, phone calls are likely to resume soon.”