Secret network on the border between the two Koreas

Park Seung-hwan (pseudonym). He is a North Korean citizen by birth. He was separated from his family for 14 years. He fled to South Korea in 2012 to escape the oppression of the Kim regime.

Even though he was far away, Park used to send money to his family regularly. He used to send two to three million won in each installment. With which his family could eat white rice for a year. However, he had to face a lot of difficulties to send that money. The money sent by Park reached Pyongyang from Seoul after going through many stages illegally. Again, due to commissions and bribes, almost half of the money was lost before it reached the family. Since there is no legal system between the two Koreas, North Koreans are sending money illegally to save their families. Guardian.

The money reaches the family after going through several stages. The North Koreans who are fugitives in South Korea give the money to brokers. The brokers convert this money into Chinese currency. The money then crosses the border to North Korea through intermediaries. The brokers there hand over the money to the family.

Communication takes place on a Chinese phone that is operational near the border. The family often sends videos to confirm whether they have received the money or not. However, due to commissions and bribes, about 40 percent of the money is lost midway. Only 60 percent of the money sent reaches the family. Recently, South Korean security forces have intensified operations at the border. This secret network is being dismantled in their operations.

A survey by the Human Rights Database Center found that 40 percent of North Korean refugees have sent money to their family at least once in the last five years. Park has also been able to send money to her family regularly for the past two years.

In 2023, the country's police began investigating this secret network. Although initially there was a national security excuse, the cases turned into financial crimes when no evidence of espionage was found. At least 10 people have already been charged. Three are still under trial.

As a result, 70 percent of the network has practically collapsed. A party member said that it has become almost impossible to rebuild this network. Fraudsters have become active in the country using this opportunity. On the other hand, some politicians have come forward to deal with the situation after realizing the crisis. Eun Yo-han, a member of parliament from the South Korean opposition People Power Party, has proposed legalizing small-value remittances.

Meanwhile, North Korea has also tightened surveillance. The government has ordered people to report anyone suspicious in the country and to be careful of relatives. In the meantime, the State Security Department arrested a remittance broker in Hyesan, North Korea, last July.

He went to deliver money to the family of a fugitive refugee in Gwon County, South Hamgyong Province. After that, surveillance was further tightened.