North Korean workers in Russia and China face rising tensions and surveillance

Despite the UN Security Council resolution mandating the return of North Korean workers to their country, thousands of them still toil in Russia and China, earning money for the regime in Pyongyang. Recently, however, there have been uprisings. The reason for the conflicts is increased mutual surveillance.

According to information provided by Daily NK, tensions among North Korean workers abroad are rising, and the authorities are tightening control to prevent escapes.

This situation pertains to, among others, a group of construction workers from Kim Jong Un's country recently sent to Vladivostok, Russia.

An anonymous source from the country states that serious fights among workers occur at least two to three times a week, often resulting in injuries to both the participants of the brawls and those who try to break them up.

The reason for the conflicts is increased mutual surveillance. North Korean authorities have long been delegating security officials to foreign trading companies to monitor workers.

However, recently, there has been an increase in controls. Security officers are placing "spies" in every workgroup whose task is to report on the activities and statements of their "colleagues."

If three people gather, one is definitely a Ministry of State Security spy - emphasizes Daily NK.

Workers face criticism for a lack of enthusiasm in their work or even for complaining about work difficulties, resulting in an agitated atmosphere in workgroups.

Due to increased surveillance and criticism, many workers are considering abandoning their groups.

Workgroups are completely split due to the spies. If this continues, there could be mass defections - the article states.

This situation is not limited to one location but appears in North Korean labour groups in various regions of Russia, increasing the risk of escalation.

Let's remember that China and Russia, which are trying to leverage North Korea in their rivalry with the United States, have become loopholes in enforcing the UN ban. They help Pyongyang, which is under sanctions and struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, obtain urgently needed cash.