North Korea has implemented a special security decree for the US-NK summit, taking effect in the border regions and lasting until June 12, the scheduled date for the summit.
“We were told that as a father may only be at ease outside of the home when there is peace at home, we must stay vigilant during the Supreme Leader’s overseas visit. In Ryanggang Province, the Border Guard, the Ministry of People’s Security and the Ministry of State Security will remain on guard until the 12 after a special security order was issued,” a source in Ryanggang Province reported to Daily NK on June 11.
“Each of the inminban units (neighborhood watch-like units) are on guard at night as well as during the day, and the Border Guard has strengthened security measures,” the source said.
Sources in Pyongyang and Chongjin also explained that instructions were given through meetings and in the form of direct orders for everyone to work diligently until the 12th.
“An order was issued to each agency and state-owned enterprise for everyone to conduct themselves with discipline and responsibility until the Supreme Leader’s overseas visit for the summit with the US is over, and the same instructions were given during inminban meetings at district offices,” a North Hamgyong Province-based said.
He explained that the enterprises received notification that absences without leave during this period would be met with harsher punishments, and as a result, smuggling operations near the border have also been affected.
“Normally, most of the people living in the border region are dependent on trade and smuggling, but these days you cannot see any smuggling going on. Most of the residents are being extra cautious during these times due to fear of serious consequences,” he said.
“The guards responsible for border security were told by their superiors that they should not ruin their lives with trivial matters, and regular soldiers are even telling residents with whom they have traded regularly, ’Do not even mention the word smuggling.’ Most residents who had been engaged in smuggling have suspended their river work (smuggling) for the time being.”
A source from Pyongyang added that “people who smuggle goods from China are saying, ‘Be careful when the risks are greater. You can lose a lot of money trying to make a quick buck.'”
“At the last Panmunjom meeting [inter-Korean summit],” she said, “people were on emergency duty for two to three days because of the preventive measures against potential incidents, and what we are seeing now is probably for the same reasons.”
