North Korea has been deploying state

security officials disguised as travelers with special personal visas or

traders to China as an attempt to weed out brokers that aid defectors in

escaping the country, a local source told the Daily NK.

“Movement from State Security Department

[SSD] officials has been quite extraordinary,” a source

based in North Hamgyung Province told the Daily NK on Monday. “Late last month, two officials from the Hoeryong SSD office were

chosen to pose as travelers visiting relatives in China, and went to different regions such as Yanji, Helong, and Changbai,”

she explained.

An official from the SSD spoke with our

source, stating, “There haven’t

been that many defectors these days, but there’s a

reason why SSD officials have been sent to China despite that.” It is speculated that the covert operation comes with the goal of

not only tracking down defectors hiding in China, but also the middlemen, known

as “brokers,” who help the

escapees get to South Korea for a hefty fee.

“The two who left from Hoeryong disguised

as visitors have returned,” the source said. “But there remains the possibility that SSD officials dressed up as

travelers or traders still are in China or there are plans to send more.”

Until now, North Korea has used central and

provincial SSD officials impersonating travelers to infiltrate and arrest

defectors, explaining why recently a greater number have been apprehended as they make their way from China to Southeast Asia; it is also why

brokers for these defectors frequently alter their travel routes.

“Work on the borders is going to become even

more difficult since they are monitoring not only just during the day but at

night as well,” brokers have been saying of the changes. “We now live in an era where SSD officials

are masquerading as merchants, so you have to be careful of whom you meet when

you get out to China.”

Unable to discern individuals who may pose a threat, brokers warn, “You have to watch out for

even those traveling on special personal visas or who are staying in the

country on an expired visa.”