With elections for local people’s committees set for Nov. 26, North Korea has issued orders banning people from leaving their regions of residence “until the elections are finished.” The move appears aimed at ensuring 100% participation in the voting.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, a Daily NK source in Yanggang Province said Monday that the Ministry of Social Security and Cabinet issued orders on Oct. 31 temporarily banning movement so that there is complete participation in the upcoming elections for local government representatives “with no exceptions.”
The Ministry of Social Security’s order temporarily restricts the issuing of approval numbers, travel certificates and business trip certificates — documents North Koreans need to travel between regions — until the end of the local elections.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet order issued to each province bans interregional travel. In particular, the order bans travel outside one’s province of residence and restricts the number of travelers and use of transportation even within provinces. The order explained that this was a necessary measure to ensure successful local elections.
The Cabinet order also called for “dozens of political, propaganda and educational activities a day until the end of the election teaching residents that all citizens — without exception — must participate in the elections, which prepare a rock-solid base for local autonomy.”
It also urged organizations to pull their weight to help everyone perform their political duties and carry out their revolutionary tasks “with healthy hearts” through the end of the elections, and for factories and enterprises to do their best to achieve all their economic targets for November to lend even greater significance to the elections.
Essentially, the order demands results in each economic sector while banning people from moving around and participating in “external” activities.
The Cabinet order also emphasized the importance of bolstering patrols at factories, enterprises, schools and neighborhood watch units to prevent accidents and incidents during the election period, “giving no space to enemies and reactionary elements.”
The source told Daily NK that “upon receiving the order, Yanggang Province conveyed the key parts to each city, county, factory, enterprise, school and local office and declared a special patrol period from Nov. 24 — two days before the elections — to midnight of Nov. 27.”
In Yanggang Province, crackdowns on anti-socialist and non-socialist behavior seem to be intensifying ahead of the elections.
“Members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, Socialist Women’s Union of Korea and Socialist Patriotic Youth League, as well as plain clothes patrols by the police and security agencies, have been going around public gathering spots, schools, alleyways, markets and the streets cracking down on people’s dress, hairstyles and failure to wear badges with portraits of the nation’s leaders on them.
“They are also cracking down on people lolling about or disorderly gathered in front of train stations, as well as people wandering around in drunken stupors or dumping sewage. The police and security patrols are immediately arresting anyone who refuses to comply with the crackdowns or who cause disturbances.”
Translated by David Black. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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