[World Report] "North Korea's'kill order' from February…Smuggling Chinese also died"

From September 19th to 22nd, I visited Dandong, China, the border between North Korea and China.

As I learned later, this was the time when a civil servant belonging to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries disappeared in Soyeonpyeong Island, the northernmost part of the West Sea.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Defense, the official disappeared on the morning of the 21st in the sea 2km south of Soyeonpyeong Island, and North Korea fired and burned his body.

Some media cited officials from the authorities and reported that'North Korea appears to have fired on this official in accordance with quarantine guidelines to block the spread of Corona 19'.

reporters arrived, Dandong was in a peaceful atmosphere.

It reflects the atmosphere of China in which the corona crisis is truly entering a phase.

In the evening, citizens came to the shore of the Yalu River for free walks, and during the day they enjoyed playing in the water.

On the other hand, the atmosphere of North Korea's Sinuiju with the Yalu River was quite different.

It was quiet on the outside.

No other North Korean people were found besides North Korean soldiers.

It was said that North Koreans were instructed not to go to the Yalu River.

He said it was because he did not know how Corona 19 would spread if he had contact with Chinese people.

There was tension inside.

A Chinese man who was playing in the water swam and approached North Korea, and North Korean soldiers quickly swarmed in.

Among the Yalu River, the narrow river was a distance to swim and reach.

It was a moment when I was worried that the North Korean military would shoot fire.

Fortunately, the Buddha statue didn't happen, and the Chinese swimmer back again.

A North Korean patrol boat was also spotted.

The artificial plane on the ship was clearly visible.

North Korea was first said to kill people crossing the border without permission to block the influx of the coronavirus.

At the time, a “bill” containing this policy was published online in China, but the Chinese authorities denied that the source of the document was unclear.

Then, on September 10, this was confirmed by the commander of the USFK.

At a meeting hosted by the US Institute for Strategic and International Affairs, Abrams, the combined commander of the ROK-US and USFK commander, said at a meeting held by the US Institute for Strategic International Affairs, "North Korea has placed special operations forces on the border with China and has issued orders to kill those who cross the border without permission."

"The North Korean authorities intervened as the demand for contraband goods increased due to border closure measures following the corona crisis," he explained.

While I was interviewing in Dandong, I met my aunt who trades with North Korea.

In an interview with reporters, Lee said, "Now, trade with North Korea has been completely stopped due to the coronavirus."

He confirmed that "A notification has been sent that if a Chinese person comes into contact with a North Korean person without permission, he will kill himself."

It was said that such a decree fell on the marginal forces.

Mr. Lee said there were cases where he was actually killed.

It was said that in late March and April, Chinese smugglers were found and killed while bringing goods to North Korea.

I can't remember the exact date when the'declaration of death' first came down, but he said it was around February, when Corona 19 was spreading for a long time.

Lee said that even after the UN sanctions on North Korea, trade with North Korea went well until the coronavirus outbreak.

There was also a lot of smuggling, but because the outskirts are so big, they could sneak into North Korea, and they said that the North Korean side sneaked over.

He said it was possible to meet and exchange goods by boat in the middle of the Yalu River.

CCTVs are installed along the riverside, but both sides of China and North Korea have tolerated to some extent.

However, since mid-August, trade has completely ceased, and now, even if you ride a 4-5m boat, you will be caught, Lee explained.

Then, what will be taken for those entering the country with permission from North Korea?

The reporter also met Kim Mo, a North Korean resident in Dandong.

Mr. Kim came to China from North Korea in January and has been unable to return for eight months as the border was closed.

In my home country, he said,'Don't worry because your family is well, refrain from going out, wear a mask, don't get sick, and come in when the border door opens.'

It was said that the order not to enter North Korea came on January 18th.

Mr. Kim said that although there are not many numbers, it is still possible to enter the country with permission from the authorities.

North Korea also quarantines when coming from a foreign country. The principle is quarantine on the 14th, but North Koreans were introduced to quarantine for a month.

It is also said to be quarantined in various areas regardless of the city in which they are entering.

Even if they enter Sinuiju, they are said to be quarantined in Nampo, South Pyeongan Province, and even in Ganggye, North Hamgyeong Province.

I asked Lee, a trader with North Korea, and Kim, a North Korean resident, about the situation in North Korea's coronavirus, but the answer that came back was "I don't know."