Author: Lee Chae Un
The Threat Facing North Korean Defectors in China Chinese police are ramping up pressure on North Korean defectors living in China, issuing warnings of possible repatriation back to North Korea. This has sparked fear and anxiety among the defector community, especially those who have been previously arrested for attempting to flee to South Korea. Recent reports from sources in China reveal that police intimidation has escalated, with increased surveillance and direct warnings to keep a low profile. Defectors living in China are now living in constant fear of being caught and sent back to North Korea. The international community and…
On Apr. 2, 2024, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the first test launch of a new medium- to long-range solid-state ballistic missile, the Hwasongpo-16B, equipped with a newly developed hypersonic glide flight combat vehicle (warhead), according to Rodong Sinmun on Apr. 3. (Rodong Sinmun-News1) North Korean social organizations are emphasizing the importance of strengthening the country’s defense capabilities in the face of perceived threats from the U.S. and South Korea. While lecturers advocate for a robust defense strategy, young people are increasingly expressing disinterest and frustration with the constant rhetoric surrounding national defense. Despite…
Many North Korean middle school students are frustrated because they have to bring computers to their IT classes, Daily NK has learned. IT classes have become mandatory in North Korean schools as part of modern education. However, students’ participation levels vary depending on whether they own computers or not, leading to frustration and loss of focus in classes. Parents feel guilty for not being able to afford computers for their children, creating inequality and discomfort among students in schools. In Hyesan, Yanggang Province, parents struggle to buy computers due to financial constraints, impacting their children’s learning experience. Overall, the lack…
A poster of the South Korean movie “Exhuma.” (Showbox) A growing number of North Korean youths in Hoeryong City, North Hamgyong Province, are showing interest in the South Korean movie “Exhuma,” as rumors about the movie spread through Chinese-made cell phones in the area. Despite strict regulations on foreign media in North Korea, the curiosity of young people in Hoeryong is piqued by the engaging plot of the movie, revolving around a shaman’s discovery of a family curse. The surge in demand for “Exhuma” reflects the ongoing fascination with South Korean culture among North Korean youth, despite the risks involved…
FILE PHOTO: A scene from Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province. (Daily NK) In Chongjin, North Korea, intensified mobile phone inspections and body searches targeting young residents aim to suppress the influence of foreign culture perceived as a threat by the regime. Recent reports indicate that street enforcers organized by the Socialist Patriotic Youth League are conducting rigorous checks on all young people in the city. The inspections are triggered by any South Korean language expressions found on the phones of those stopped on the streets. This crackdown extends beyond language to outfits, hairstyles, and lapel pins. Despite the government’s efforts to…
Severe Power Shortage Impacts Rural North Korean Communities A picture of a collective farm in South Hwanghae Province taken in 2009 (Flickr, Creative Commons) In rural regions of South Hwanghae Province, North Korea, residents are facing severe power shortages, affecting daily life and agriculture. The power supply for agricultural water circulation lasts only four hours per day, while general electricity is limited to less than an hour. Urban areas rely on generators, but smaller villages like Daechu and Wonryong use solar power due to the crisis. However, the situation has led to an increase in theft, with solar panels being…
Recent reports of North Korean defectors being repatriated from China have caused fear among others in the community, leading many to abandon their plans to head to South Korea. Despite wanting to go to South Korea for better opportunities, the risks and lack of legal protection in China have made defectors rethink their plans. The recent lack of response from Chinese authorities following repatriations in 2023 gave some hope, but additional reports have caused a shift in sentiment. The local police in China have also played a role in discouraging defectors from attempting the journey to South Korea, leaving many…
FILE PHOTO: A street in Wonsan, Kangwon Province. (Daily NK) A band of robbers operating in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, was recently arrested and put on public trial in early April, Daily NK has learned. “Earlier this month, a group of three men were put on public trial at the Sinhung Market in Wonsan after they were arrested for robbery,” a source in Kangwon Province told Daily NK on Apr. 30, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Two of the men were discharged from the military last spring, and the third is a student at Wonsan Agricultural University.” The two former soldiers…