[Yonhap News Photo]
North Korea is employing land-based sensors along its border with China to detect people trying to flee the country, sources in Seoul said Monday.
Insiders familiar with the reclusive country told Yonhap News Agency that the North's national security agency has set up unmanned detection devices following orders issued by leader Kim Jong-un. The North Korean leader has stressed the importance of dealing effectively with defectors as quickly as possible.
There have been previous reports that the North is using infrared cameras along the Sino-North Korean border, but this is the first time that unmanned sensors have been mentioned as part of Pyongyang's efforts to deal with defectors.
Without providing too many details, the sources said that the sensors have been placed on well-known escape routes, such as Hyesan in Ryanggang Province and around Heoryong in the North Hamgyong region.
"The North plans to increase the number of sensors to better detect defectors and deter those wanting to escape," said a source, who wished to remain anonymous.
He claimed that the North's security apparatus increased the number of agents to ferret out defectors, as well as their support groups, and even resorted to laying "traps" to apprehend them.
(Yonhap)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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