＜Inside N.Korea＞ Bank Transfer Fees Raised to Maximum of 8% - "Too expensive. The government makes money off us" - Voices of Discontent.

Strengthened surveillance through cashless payments

Meanwhile, as cashless payments advance, surveillance of money flows appears to have become stricter.

According to A, when transferring from border regions with China such as Ryanggang Province, Musan County, and Hoeryong City to other areas, they interrogate very strictly about the source of funds. This is because they suspect it might be money received from family who defected to South Korea or Japan, or illegal funds obtained as payment for smuggling or helping people defect.

"During Chuseok, there was an incident in late October where three brokers making bank transfers from Hoeryong to Chongjin were arrested. Although they divided transfers among multiple accounts, their explanations about the source of funds contradicted each other during the investigation, and all were detained."

As transfer fees increase and government surveillance intensifies, underground money transfer operators are emerging. Reporting partner A reported, "Regardless of the amount, if it's over 10 million won, they handle it for about 3% in fees, so there are people around me using this. However, if discovered, the entire amount is confiscated, so they proceed cautiously."

Electronic payments in North Korea have spread rapidly in recent years. Between convenience and government control, many North Koreans appear unsettled.

*ASIAPRESS uses Chinese cellphones smuggled into North Korea to communicate with its reporting partners.