North Korea’s primary internal security and counterintelligence agency, known domestically as the bowibu. Established in its current form in 1973, the agency reports directly to the Supreme Leader and operates outside the normal judicial system. It is responsible for political surveillance, suppression of dissent, management of political prison camps, monitoring of foreign media consumption, counter-defection operations, and investigation of economic crimes. In early 2026, the agency was renamed the State Information Bureau, reportedly to project a more institutionalized image while expanding its intelligence mandate.
Tag: ministry of state security
N. Koreans nabbed for sending mobile texts about the coronavirus
Agents with the Ministry of State Security (MSS)’s Bureau 10 arrested two remittance brokers during raids in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, after discovering texts mentioning...
N. Korea’s security agency emphasizes “loyalty” on Army Day
New documents acquired by Daily NK provide a glimpse into the political and ideological education North Korea’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) recently conducted...
N. Korea cracks down on corruption in border patrol
North Korea recently launched a crackdown on illegal activities perpetrated by border guards and security officials on the Sino-North Korean border, Daily NK has...
Alleged leaker of Kim Jong Un’s whereabouts executed
An alleged leaker of information about Kim Jong Un's visit to Samjiyon last October was executed in Pyongyang in late December, Daily NK has...
18 N. Koreans attempt mass defection on New Year’s Day
Daily NK sources reported on Jan. 7 that 18 North Koreans were arrested and are currently under investigation for attempting to defect across the...
N. Korea deploys special patrols to Sino-North Korean border
The Ministry of State Security (MSS), North Korea’s feared security agency, has deployed special patrols on the Sino-North Korean border to control the flow...
Hyesan’s MSS director still in office despite security leak
The director of Hyesan's Ministry of State Security (MSS) office is still wielding authority despite speculation that he would resign after a leak involving...
Mother faces punishment for failing to save Kim family portraits
A mother who saved her children from a house fire in Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province, is currently under investigation by the Ministry of...
N. Korea’s new “spectrum analyzer” may be a surveillance tool
North Korea has allegedly developed its own version of what is called a “spectrum analyzer.” Daily NK sources suspect that the device, which was...
N. Korea arrests suspects allegedly involved in information leak
North Korean authorities were recently rocked by a leak that informed South Korean newspapers about a planned trip of leader Kim Jong Un to...
