North Korea and China’s security ministries are strengthening collaboration to monitor North Korean defectors in China.<\/p>\n
“The Ministry of State Security has implemented a confidential policy to share lists of defectors in China with Chinese authorities, including both undocumented individuals and those who have obtained South Korean citizenship,” a source in North Hamgyong province told Daily NK recently.<\/p>\n
The initiative aims to monitor defectors who might pose security risks to either country and gather intelligence about those involved in anti-North Korean or anti-Chinese activities within China.<\/p>\n
“This joint effort between the two countries’ security ministries received final approval from China’s Henan province on Feb. 11. Both North Korean state security organizations and Chinese security agencies in the region have received corresponding directives,” the source said.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, North Korea’s Ministry of State Security receives real-time updates about North Korean defectors in China, leading to intensified surveillance operations. Chinese security agencies in Henan province are sharing details about both undocumented defectors and those who have acquired South Korean citizenship.<\/p>\n
The source noted that Chinese authorities will likely provide North Korea with comprehensive immigration and residence information about defectors holding South Korean passports.<\/p>\n
“This initiative aims to prevent defectors from criticizing the socialist regime. It also reflects China’s increasing willingness to cooperate with North Korea as Chinese-American relations deteriorate.<\/p>\n
“More North Korean security agents will be deployed to China to work directly with Chinese authorities. While information sharing currently focuses on Henan province, it will eventually expand nationwide, resulting in tighter surveillance of defectors throughout China,” the source explained.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, some security agents along the North Hamgyong province border are exploiting this classified initiative to intimidate defectors’ families. These agents are warning families against conspicuous spending and threatening to cut off remittances if their relatives abroad are caught.<\/p>\n
“These actions have created considerable anxiety among defectors’ families here in North Korea,” the source said.<\/p>\n