Military Depot Thievery Perplex Authorities

[imText1]An investigation is ongoing into the theft of wartime military supplies including gasoline from a well-concealed military depot at a base near Chongjin, a source revealed today.

According to the source, “A few days ago (around March 10th), various supplies including gasoline and diesel were stolen from the Military Mobilization Office wartime supply depot in a tunnel in Kyodong, part of the Sinam-district of Chongjin.”

“The relevant security organs and provincial National Security Agency have launched an investigation,” the source added, explaining that the case has been labeled an ‘anti-state action’, and People’s Unit chairpeople have been mobilized to look into whether anything unusual has occurred in their designated area in an attempt to expose the culprits.

“Apparently, the gasoline and some of the other items have been found, but the atmosphere is ugly,” the source also revealed, going on, “The investigators main focus is apparently parts and electrical equipment; some very important items appear to have been stolen.”

The investigators reportedly believe the robbery was precisely pre-planned, given that the supply depot is located in a tunnel which is itself not easy to get to.

Therefore, No. 374 Base soldiers or base workers (civilians working in farms or restaurants run by the base) are suspected of having organized the robbery in collusion with outsiders, and the investigators are conducting their investigation accordingly; however, nobody has been arrested to date.

“It was extremely brazen of them to carry this stuff away by car,” the source added, noting that as a result, “Surveillance of items being sold by traders in every market in Chongjin is now being strengthened.”

The investigators are activity looking for help from the people, but they are not really interested, the source went on. This is because the average person thinks that those who performed the robbery did well, since “they have to live, even if they did do it that way.”

According to a defector very familiar with the ins and outs of the Chongjin area, the No. 374 Base, acting as the National Defense Commission’s Military Mobilization Office, is responsible for reserve wartime provisions for the northern region. Therefore, aside from gasoline, other important items including clothing, medical supplies and communications equipment are stored in the tunnel there.

Entering the base through the main gate, there is a 3-storey building encircled on three sides by mountains. The military supply depot is behind this building, at the base of the mountain. The tunnel has no exit, and sentries are posted at the entrance.

Pak In Cheol, a defector who was born in the city, explained, “Even the people around there don’t have a clue what is in the tunnel. Sometimes cars would come and go in a hurry.”

“That they would steal from a military supply depot tells of how hard the people’s lives are,” he also concluded.