Rumors of problems between North Korea and China have surfaced with reports that Chinese authorities have recently made several requests to North Korean authorities to repatriate all North Korean workers in China.
Some observers say this represents a strategy on the part of China to “tame” North Korea as Pyongyang moves closer to Moscow. Others, however, say that repatriating North Korean workers would not only inflict a mortal wound on North Korea, but also harm Chinese businesses.
With great effort, Daily NK contacted a North Korean worker in China’s Liaoning Province – identified only as “A” – and asked whether he had received any orders from North Korean authorities regarding repatriation and the general mood on the ground.
The following is the Q&A with the North Korean worker, “A.”
Daily NK: There has been a news report that Beijing has asked Pyongyang to repatriate North Korean workers from China. Have you heard anything?
“We haven’t heard anything from the factory about such orders, but I have heard rumors that China has asked North Korea to repatriate all its workers. The workers themselves are also talking about it a lot.”
Daily NK: So you’re saying that the place where you work hasn’t received any orders?
“So far we have not received any official order from North Korea. However, our superiors – believing that where there’s smoke there’s fire – have been busy calling North Korea or asking the embassy to confirm whether the rumors are true. North Korea told them not to listen to rumors. However, there is still talk that we workers should prepare to go home at some point. I think this is because North Korea, which issues the formal orders, is far away, but China, where the rumors are circulating, is close.”
Daily NK: What’s the general mood?
“In general, people are feeling uneasy. Many workers are worried that they will be ordered to go home before they’ve earned enough money. The sense of unease is compounded by the uncertainty, with the rumors and North Korea’s denials contradicting each other.”
Daily NK: What’s the mood in the Chinese factories? Has anything changed recently?
“They have been really restricting access to the factory lately, supposedly to strengthen internal security regarding all production processes. The factory has also strictly managed when workers start and finish work, and ordered workers not to go outside.”
Daily NK: How do you think the Chinese factories feel about repatriating all the North Korean workers?
“The factory wants to avoid a situation where all the workers are repatriated. The factory is so desperate for workers that they are telling us that if North Korea doesn’t object, they could extend our stay and hide us while we work. Because North Korean workers play an important role in the factory as skilled laborers, the factories would also suffer greatly if we were all repatriated.”
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
Please send any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
