North Korean authorities launch search operation for defectors in Sukchon County
A search operation for a family attempting to defect has been underway for more than 15 days in Sukchon County, South Pyongan Province. The local government has handed down the orders and tightened inspections by the 'tenth guard' that controls the movement of residents.
In late June, a family in Sukchon County (South Pyongan Province) began a defection attempt. The Sukchon Ministry of State Security [MSS] had been monitoring them for some time since the mother of the family had previously defected, but the remaining family members suddenly disappeared overnight, putting the whole county on alert.
"The security agent who was monitoring the family reported the defection to the Sukchon MSS immediately after realising the situation. The provincial MSS department ordered an expansion of the search operation to a nationwide scale. The provincial MSS has strengthened inspections of vehicles heading to the border areas from Sukchon by the tenth guard, as well as of trains going to the border regions," a source in South Pyongan Province told Daily NK.
"The authorities have announced that a resident and his two children have disappeared and are likely trying to defect, following his wife who is already in South Korea. Those who find them must immediately report them to the authorities. The age and appearance of the family members has been described to the public in detail."
[Source: The Daily NK]
