After watching the extensive military parade held in Pyongyang to mark the 105th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birthday, some residents in the border areas are expressing concerns about the implications for their livelihoods.
Of particular concern is that China, North Korea’s long-time ally, did not send a delegation to the parade.
“Residents in the border areas are well aware of current events as they frequently receive outside information. Many are speculating that life will only get harder after the regime paraded the weapons around while the situation on the Korean Peninsula is so tense,” a source in Ryanggang Province told Daily NK on April 18.
Residents in the border regions can receive detailed information on the politics of the Korean Peninsula via North Koreans traveling to and from China on special personal visas, and individuals from the Hwagyo (ethnic Chinese) community who are free to traverse the border.
“What the residents paid most interest to was not the weapons systems but whether there were any foreign delegations present. Even our ‘brother’ country (China) did not send a delegation, so many residents were shocked,” said a source in North Hamgyong Province.
“If North Korea had kept good relations with China, they would have sent a delegation. It suggests that China’s heightened border control will likely remain in place, which will make lives difficult for residents in the border areas.”
Previously, many North Koreans believed that China would never completely abandon North Korea despite prevailing anxieties, given the geopolitical circumstances and implications.
But China’s unprecedented crackdowns on smuggling in the border areas is fueling concern. “If China turns its back on us (North Korea), it will be the end of us,” said the source in North Hamgyong Province.
“These days, smuggling is a risky business. Crackdowns have come and gone in the past, but not as seriously as in recent times, and making calls to China has become much more difficult compared to the end of last year.”
A source in Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province added, “The crackdowns on smuggling by the Chinese authorities is influencing the North Korean markets, dragging down activity.”
“In order for the markets to thrive, Chinese goods must be imported through active smuggling operations and distributed across the country. Even a child would know that abandonment by China would spell disaster for us,” she said.
