Residents concerned over rise in violent crime in North Korea
Chongjin Market (taken in 2017). Image: Daily NK
Residents are becoming increasingly concerned with the rising frequency of violent crime occurring in certain parts of North Korea.
“Due to the financial situation worsening for many here in North Korea, violent crimes such as robbery and murder have become more common,” a source from North Hwanghae Province told Daily NK.
She added that crimes committed by a perpetrator known to the victim have also increased, leading to an increasing atmosphere of distrust between neighbors and friends.
“Police are warning residents not to leave their homes or to open their doors for anyone at night, even close friends,” she said.
Crimes committed by soldiers are also on the rise. “Soldiers have been behind a large number of the robberies occurring. Additionally, there have also been quite a few cases where robbers will wear military uniforms and pretend to be soldiers,” a source in South Hwanghae Province added.
“But with the start of winter training on December 1, the number of robberies has temporarily decreased. Soldiers are busy with training and have no time to steal from locals.”
Cold weather training for the military occurs every year from December until the end of March. North Korea’s winter exercises are similar to South Korea’s military exercises that are designed to test the soldiers’ mettle in difficult, frigid conditions. North Korea has paramilitary units and Worker-Peasant Red Guards (paramilitary force with older members and North Korea’s largest civil defense force) included in the training along with regular military units. Civilians conduct blackout and evacuation exercises.
It remains uncertain how long the lull will last. Soldiers are frequently malnourished after participating in difficult training for long periods of time, leading them to steal livestock and food supplies from locals. The military is also taught that “the country’s vegetable garden is our vegetable garden’, justifying their pillaging of local farms.
Daily NK recently reported that the “gas squad” in North Hwanghae Province that goes from door to door at nights to check for carbon monoxide poisoning has been having difficulties due to the prevalence of robberies in the area. This has led to an increase in accidents involving carbon monoxide.
Last month multiple sources in North Hamgyong Province also reported a spike in produce theft amid rising demand for kimchi ingredients.
*Translated by Brian Bo
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