FOCUS: North Korea, China may use Olympics as political tool to boost ties
North Korea and China may be trying to use the Olympics as a political tool to demonstrate their amicable ties to the world, diplomatic sources said following Pyongyang s abrupt announcement the country would not take part in this summer s Tokyo Games.
Recently, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has adopted a tough posture against the United States and the South, while he is believed to have almost no intention of getting closer to Japan as Pyongyang and Tokyo have been at odds over the long-standing abduction issue.
North Korea deploys construction troops to border to build barriers and high-voltage wires
“I understand that the authorities will deploy 4,000 more people to the border in addition to the Construction Bureau 8 personnel already at the site,” a source told Daily NK
2021.04.05 3:30pm
North Korean authorities reportedly deployed a large detachment of construction troops to the border area in North Pyongan Province on Apr. 1 as part of their plan to install concrete barriers and high-voltage wires along the border.
A source from North Pyongan Province told Daily NK on Apr. 1 that two battalions arrived in Uiju and Yongchon, two counties that lie on the border between North Korea and China. Isuzu and Dongfeng trucks carrying construction gear and materials were also reportedly at the site.
Daily NK
North Koreans find it harder than ever to find imported food products at local markets
It is becoming difficult to find Chinese flavor enhancers, soybean oil, imported medicines, fertilizers, pesticides, and tropical fruits such as tangerines and bananas
2021.04.01 10:00am
North Koreans are finding it more difficult than ever to find imported food products in the country’s markets, Daily NK has learned. Indeed, prices of some items are now seven times higher than they were before the blockade was put in place early last year.
A source in South Pyongan Province told Daily NK last Friday that the price of one kilogram of flour at the Pyongsong Okjon General Market was KPW 11,200 on Mar. 23, more than three times higher than in October of last year.
Adam Cathcart & Christopher Green on the China-North Korea Borderlands thediplomat.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thediplomat.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
North Korea further tightens control over the Sino-North Korean border
2021.03.15 3:00pm
North Korean authorities are again tightening control over the Sino-North Korean border following the emergence of smuggling in some regions amid rumors that cross-border trade will resume. The authorities have reportedly moved to implement a variety of measures to prevent smuggling and defections across the border.
A source in Yanggang Province told Daily NK earlier today that the authorities have increased the number of Ministry of State Security (MSS) officials in the border region recently. There has been a particular increase in MSS officials in areas where smuggling activities and “illegal border crossings” have occurred.