[imText1]A source has reported that the North Korean authorities are allowing ordinary people to visit China again, while claiming it as an example of \u201cKim Jong Eun\u2019s consideration\u201d for the people.<\/p>\n
A lengthy ban on cross border visits was imposed in late August to cover the anniversary of the regime founding on September 9th, Party Delegates\u2019 Conference on September 28th and anniversary of the Workers\u2019 Party founding on October 10th. This has now been lifted. <\/p>\n
The source said, \u201cVisiting relatives in China has been allowed since the 5th.\u201c According to his explanation, the propaganda department of provincial committees of the Party held a lecture on the 5th targeting those requesting permits to visit China so as to educate them on things to keep in mind. During which, a cadre in one lecture reportedly claimed, \u201cThanks to the consideration of Comrade Youth Captain, private tours to China are to be allowed, and in future will progress in the form of state business.\u201d <\/p>\n
The National Security Agency is responsible for preparatory lectures for would-be North Korean tourists; the NSA makes them sign an oath not to reveal any national secrets, not to have any connection with South Koreans or Chinese religious organizations in China, and to submit items that they cannot bring back into North Korea. <\/p>\n
However, the source sought to emphasize, \u201cThe propaganda department of the Party has carried this out this time in an attempt to let the North Korean tourists know that it is part of \u201cKim Jong Eun\u2019s consideration.\u201d <\/p>\n
Additionally, the source said that the lecturing cadres were keen to encourage tourists to \u201creceive actively and willingly help from Chinese relatives\u201d and told them \u201cthere is no limit, so bring as many products and as much money as you want.\u201d However, there was one limitation, \u201cYou should not meet South Chosun people or bring South Chosun products.\u201d <\/p>\n
The source added also, \u201cThe department demanded that would-be tourists offer donations,\u201d saying, \u201cSince the Comrade Youth Captain has done you a special favor, it is reasonable for you to prepare the necessary goods for local kindergartens, schools or other social facilities.\u201d <\/p>\n
Interestingly, the process of issuing passports, visas and permits has apparently been significantly quickened. <\/p>\n
Normally, when a North Korean who has relatives in China submits an application form to a municipal or provincial office of the National Security Agency, the application goes to Pyongyang NSA via the foreign affairs section in each city or province. The NSA confirms that the applicant has relatives in China through the Chinese authorities, and then the authorities issue permits and visas. <\/p>\n
Going through the whole process generally takes between three and six months. Of course, bribes are needed to keep an application moving along, and the process can be expedited depending on the value of the bribe. <\/p>\n
However, this time the process, from submitting the application form to receiving the permit, is only 15 to 20 days. <\/p>\n
Looking at the situation, the source added wryly, \u201cSince the authorities are encouraging people to take trips to China and therefore tourist numbers will increase, cadres in foreign affairs sections of the local NSA will be in a favorable situation.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[imText1]A source has reported that the North Korean authorities are allowing ordinary people to visit China again, while claiming it as an example of \u201cKim Jong Eun\u2019s consideration\u201d for the people. A lengthy ban on cross border visits was imposed in late August to cover the anniversary of the regime founding on September 9th, Party […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":147,"featured_media":13678,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wikipediapreview_detectlinks":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n