A high-level official at a provincial State Security Department [SSD] unit was caught aiding a military supplies factory worker in defecting, an incident Pyongyang will treat as an "espionage case" and hold those involved accountable for, Daily NK has learned.
“A high-ranking security official was exposed trying to help a worker at a military supplies factory near Jonchon County, Jakang Province, to defect after receiving money, a source in North Hamkyung Province reported on September 30th. “The SSD has determined this is a case of espionage and is investigating all suspected of involvement in the incident."
Jonchon County is well known as being the heart of production for the North’s military equipment. The SSD likely concluded the accused official was attempting to smuggle out classified military information and therefore ruled it as an espionage case.
“This incident involves not just any average person, but a military factory worker, a high-ranking official with the SSD, and a border guard, which is why the SSD is taking it so seriously,” Daily NK’s informant explained.
Meanwhile, North Korea said earlier this year it would step up punishment for those caught placing phone calls to people outside of the country, and security officers turning a blind eye to residents trying to defect, following a series of amendments made to the country’s penal code.
The source cited this as the primary reason why people there are attentively watching how this particular case will be handled by the state.
SOURCE:DAILY NK
