Ministry of Social Security investigating people over inflation and Russian war complaints
Security agents handcuff a teenager who watched South Korean dramas. Image / NK Times
North Korea’s Ministry of Social Security has instructed agencies nationwide to monitor the movements of citizens for expressions of dissatisfaction over the dispatch of troops to Russia and soaring inflation.
According to a source from North Hamgyong province, the law enforcement agency recently issued a directive to local branches, saying that security personnel should “have a spirit of selfless service to the people, understand internal trends within their jurisdiction, and take thorough measures to address any arising issues.”
The directive said, “All security personnel should re-investigate the family backgrounds and socio-political lives of all residents and employees within their jurisdiction and thoroughly understand their socio-political lives.”
Additionally, it stressed the importance of “grasping and taking thorough measures against trends that could harm the unity of our Party and pose a threat to the political security of the Party and the state, such as impure remarks undermining the authority and prestige of the Party, baseless rumors, and attitudes towards changes in the Party’s and state’s policies and the situation.”
Since January 11, authorities have been monitoring individuals who express dissatisfaction with the authorities or have a criminal history, particularly families of defectors and others categorized as “anti-regime elements.”
The comprehensive checks include the background of parents and grandparents, past interests, and occupations.
“Although the Ministry of Social Security emphasized a spirit of selfless service to the people in this directive, in reality, it has defined the expression of public dissatisfaction as rumor-mongering.”
“They’re especially scrutinizing families where a member has defected,” he said. “As a result, some people are complaining to the security people, saying, ‘Why are you harassing only the remaining people when others have already escaped?'”
Han was born in 1989 in Taehongdan county, Ryanggang province, North Korea. She graduated from Hyesan Teacher's College in 2012, after which she worked as an elementary school teacher. She defected to South Korea in 2016 and works as a reporter at NK Times in Seoul.
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