North Koreans in Hoeryong are living in fear after the Ministry of State Security’s local branch announced severe punishments for using Chinese cellphones. Authorities are threatening to charge users with espionage and exile their families.
According to a Daily NK source in North Hamgyong Province recently, three people in downtown Hoeryong have already been arrested by the Ministry of State Security for using Chinese cellphones since early July.
When a family member of one detainee attempted to bribe security agents for a quick release during the investigation, one of the agents snapped, “Think this is like before? Just prepare for exile.”
The source said the family is now sleepless with anxiety about their fate.
The source reported that most Hoeryong residents are aware of newly hardened stance by the security officials and threats of severe punishment for using Chinese cellphones.
“They’re saying that regardless of reason, those caught will be mercilessly charged with espionage, and their families will be exiled to mountainous areas like Changtae, Gyesang, or Gyeha,” the source said. “People who rely on smuggling for their livelihood are trembling with fear.”
The source added: “The situation is so serious that Chinese residents in Hoeryong aren’t free from the crackdowns, either. They even face challenges in resolving issues with RMB 50,000 (about USD 6,886) bribes if caught using a Chinese cellphone.”
The velvet gloves are off
Up until recently, security agents tried to persuade people to surrender their Chinese cellphones, promising forgiveness. However, with few voluntary surrenders, they now appear to be adopting harsher tactics to pressure people to turn themselves in.
However, cellphone crackdowns have long been a money-making scheme for security agents, suggesting that actual punishments might not match the severe rhetoric.
“While the central government emphasizes absolutely no leniency for bribes, security agents need more people caught to collect bribes and supplement their income,” the source said. “They’re probably feeling conflicted right now.”
The harsher crackdowns may force people who rely on Chinese cellphones for their livelihoods to devise new ways to evade the authorities.
“People are too smart now to blindly follow orders from the Workers’ Party of Korea,” the source said. “While I’m not sure of specific methods, efforts to communicate with the outside world will continue in some form.”
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
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