North Korea has reportedly shut down access to Pyongyang with the Eighth Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea holding its Fourth Plenary Meeting on Monday.
The move seemingly aims to heighten tension before the party’s plenary meeting, as well as to prevent news from leaking to the outside world.
According to a Daily NK source in North Korea on Monday, the authorities issued an order to all regional party and administrative bodies — including those in Pyongyang — banning people from entering or leaving the capital from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.
With the order, Pyongyang residents cannot leave the city, and provincial residents cannot go to Pyongyang, even for business or medical treatment.
In fact, the authorities are reportedly bolstering their controls on all floating supplies and personnel entering Pyongyang, increasing mobile patrols on the outskirts of the city, and turning away cars and people based on their destination.
North Korea has long controlled access to Pyongyang during major state holidays and important state events like party congresses, declaring special security periods.
In particular, the authorities have bolstered controls on entering Pyongyang since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in January of last year.
Recently, the authorities have gradually permitted the transport of goods to the capital. This apparently reflects fear that stopping locals from making a living could aggravate discontent. It also seemingly reflects confidence on the part of the government that they have so far contained COVID-19.
However, the latest measure has once again stopped people from making a living, at least for a while. Public discontent has likely grown again as a result.
The source said many merchants in towns near Pyongyang such as Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, and Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province, are suffering since they cannot enter the capital.
He said ordinary people have no interest in party plenary meetings or politburo gatherings because major events lead to stronger repression of the people.
Meanwhile, North Korea convened the Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee on Monday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in attendance. The meeting will apparently review the successes and failures of the first year of the country’s latest five-year plan and focused discussions on next year’s tasks.
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