North Korea Tightens Border Security Amid 2020 Pandemic: Human Rights Watch Report

North Korea’s announcement banning movement to border areas following the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. / Human Rights Watch

North Korea was found to have significantly increased the barbed wire fence to two to three layers in the border area with China after the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020. In addition, a large number of watchtowers and additional guard posts were installed to strengthen border surveillance. On the 7th, the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report titled ‘Fear is stronger than a bullet: closing North Korea between 2018 and 2023’ containing these details at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

HRW carried out a detailed analysis of satellite images of 321km in 6 regions, which corresponds to a quarter of the entire border between North Korea and China (about 1,300km). The most populated and economically important areas are Sinuiju City in North Pyongan Province, Junggang County in Jagang Province, Hyesan City and Daehongdan County in Yanggang Province, Hoeryeong City in North Hamgyong Province, and Seonbong District in Rason Special City. According to the report, until 2019, barbed wire was installed in this region along 230 km, or about 70% of the border, but satellite images taken last year showed that it was spread along the entire border. In addition, 2-3 layers of barbed wire were installed at intervals of 10m to several kilometers in many areas, and the total length of the barbed wire reached 743km. “In many areas, primary fences have been built or upgraded, previously non-existent secondary and tertiary fences have been built, and security patrol routes have been improved,” the report said. . “The number of new security buildings has increased 20-20. folded since 2019.” . Surveillance has been greatly strengthened as 6,820 guard posts, watch towers, and new garrisons have been built along the 321km border. HRW also said, “After announcing border movement restrictions, North Korea sent 2,000 members of an elite special operations unit called the ‘Storm Corps’ to the northern border area.” A 2020 measure requiring ‘immediate shooting’ if caught crossing the border between North Korea and China is still upheld.

The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on North Korean human rights issues at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the 7th. /Reporter Yoon Joo-heon

The report pointed to the fact that the repression of the North Korean authorities and deepening isolation during the period of COVID-19 violated the human rights of residents and worsened their suffering, and that this led to a rapid deterioration of the internal situation in North Korea. As North Korea focuses on strict movement and trade controls and regional quarantine instead of securing and distributing vaccines, prison-like North Korea has become a more repressive and isolated region.

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