Although border control measures are being ratcheted up to prevent defections and smuggling by civilians, the North Korean authorities have ordered some foreign-currency earning entities to smuggle more textiles and minerals out of the country in exchange for items including vehicles to offset the effects of international sanctions. Recently, the authorities uncovered an intricate private smuggling operation run by individuals connected to the Hyesan border patrol and are seeking to dissuade others from following suit.

“In early December, three couples involved in smuggling operations involving pine nuts and medicinal herbs with the Hyesan border patrol were caught. They were working with their counterparts in China and were caught transferring a ton of goods,” a source in Ryanggang Province reported.

He added that the group included a company commander and a political commissar with the Hyesan border patrol. The Defense Security Command summoned the men to the local unit office to file a report detailing their transgressions. All involved, including their spouses were then ordered to attend public criticism sessions.

Following an investigation by the Defense Security Command, the accused were fined 3000 yuan but avoided criminal punishment.

However, public opinion has largely begun to favor those involved in such operations, as many empathize with the need to do whatever it takes to trade and make a living.

“The border unit families involved in the case have had to do weeks of collective and self-criticism sessions which has really worn them down. Having an affiliation with the border patrol once offered significant protection from such punishment, but these days it seems more likely to do you a disservice,” a separate source in Hyesan said.

Kim Myong Ho (alias), a defector originally from Hyesan, told Daily NK that border unit families are occasionally arrested for involvement in smuggling operations. “Kim Jong Un calls the border the first line of defense and senior authorities have to comply with the crackdowns,” she said.