North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s plan to adopt a new “police system” sets up big changes in how the state exerts control over the lives of its citizens, in what appears to be a response to the challenges from a younger generation shaped by greater access to outside information.

In a speech at the first session of the newly elected 15th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) this week, Kim said the DPRK will introduce the police system as “required by the political security of our state and the changing and developing ties.”

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