Inside North Korea’s strategy to stop defections by officials stranded abroad



Analysis Inside North Korea’s strategy to stop defections by officials stranded abroad The regime uses family as collateral and encourages snitching to prevent escapes, which could pick up ahead of reopening James Fretwell June 23, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON An illustration of North Korean diplomats Hundreds of North Koreans diplomats, businesspeople and other relatively privileged citizens have been stranded overseas for more than three years on account of the DPRK’s pandemic border controls. And as rumors abound that inbound travel could soon resume, reports suggest that some of these North Koreans might jump ship before they’re recalled by Pyongyang. Hundreds of North Koreans diplomats, businesspeople and other relatively privileged citizens have been stranded overseas for more than three years on account of the DPRK’s pandemic border controls. And as rumors abound that inbound travel could soon resume, reports suggest that some of these North Koreans might jump ship before they’re recalled by Pyongyang. Become a member for less than $4 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Inside North Korea’s strategy to stop defections by officials stranded abroad

The regime uses family as collateral and encourages snitching to prevent escapes, which could pick up ahead of reopening

James Fretwell June 23, 2023

Inside North Korea’s strategy to stop defections by officials stranded abroad

An illustration of North Korean diplomats

Hundreds of North Koreans diplomats, businesspeople and other relatively privileged citizens have been stranded overseas for more than three years on account of the DPRK’s pandemic border controls.

And as rumors abound that inbound travel could soon resume, reports suggest that some of these North Koreans might jump ship before they’re recalled by Pyongyang.

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