Ministry of Social Security mobilizes nationwide to crack down on illegal grain distribution
Security officials check people’s identification documents. Photo: NK Times
North Korea’s Ministry of Social Security, the main policing agency responsible for maintaining public order, has mobilized across cities and counties to crack down on the distribution of the grain harvest.
The operation aims to prevent crop theft and illegal trading ahead of the harvest this fall, sources in North Korea tell us.
“Following recent directives from the Ministry, local security departments and forces in Hoeryong City and other regions are fully engaged in cracking down on the distribution system,” a source in North Hamgyong Province said at the end of last month. “This measure is intended to prevent theft of rice, corn, and other freshly harvested grains.”
“The crackdown is actually an annual effort,” the source said. “Special inspection teams from local security departments are deployed to farms every fall to limit the amount of grain individuals can possess and to prevent theft.”
The mobilisation includes intensified patrols around farms, inspections of grain transport vehicles and storage facilities, and verification of documents related to grain transactions. Authorities are also encouraging farmers to report illegal trading activities.
However, there is growing public dissatisfaction with the excessive enforcement.
“In some areas, conflicts have arisen due to the overly aggressive measures taken by security personnel,” a source reached by phone in Hoeryong said. “Many farmers have been taken away after clashes with officers.”
In response, authorities have issued guidelines instructing officials to avoid causing harm or inconvenience to residents. Nevertheless, sources say it remains difficult to prevent disruption to farmers during the enforcement process.
That said, the regime is not pulling its punches. “There are reports that farms or officials showing negligence during this crackdown will face severe punishment,” the source said. “As a result, farm managers and local branch officials are mobilizing all available personnel for the grain inspection effort.”
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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