＜Analysis of N. Korean Photos＞N.K-China Border: Scene of Massive State Smuggling (2) State Smuggling Along Yalu River Captured in Satellite Images; Over 20 Operational Sites Identified

2025.11.14

Analysis of the latest Google Earth satellite imagery has captured compelling evidence that large-scale state smuggling is occurring along the upper Yalu River at the North Korea-China border on a far greater scale than previously anticipated. It appears certain that smuggling operations are being conducted on a massive scale, with large heavy equipment, including excavators, carving routes across the river and base camps being established on sandbars in the Yalu River. (JEON Sung-jun)

＜Analysis of N. Korean photos＞North Korea-China Border: Scene of Massive State Smuggling (1) Smuggling Vehicles Fill Even School Playgrounds; Parking Shortage Emerges in Hyesan City

◆24 Sites Along 80km Stretch of Yalu River

Photo 1: Twenty-four smuggling points detected along an approximately 80-kilometer stretch near Hyesan in the upper Yalu River.

Through analysis of Google Earth satellite images taken on July 31 and September 13, 2025, evidence was discovered indicating vigorous smuggling activity through shallow fords along the upper Yalu River.

A total of 24 smuggling routes were identified along just an approximately 80-kilometer stretch between Hyesan and Kim Jong Suk County in Ryanggang Province, with at least five of these locations showing traces of huge smuggling operations using large vehicles. This amounts to roughly one smuggling hub per every 4 kilometers.

◆Heavy Equipment Deployed to Open Smuggling Routes

Photo 2: Heavy equipment on standby at a smuggling location.

Heavy equipment, including excavators, was detected on both banks at smuggling locations. They appear to serve the role of clearing shallow, fast-flowing upstream rapids to allow vehicle passage.
Satellite images even captured excavators actually working in the water. Particularly at locations where large-scale smuggling is underway, multiple pieces of heavy equipment were confirmed on standby for clearing waterways.

Photo 3: Excavator at work securing routes for smuggling vehicles. The water appears too deep for passenger cars to cross.

Most routes appear somewhat too deep for passenger cars to cross, suggesting they are transported across on trailer vehicles. Among photos taken by ASIAPRESS in downtown Hyesan, large smuggling trailer vehicles that appeared to have carried passenger cars were visible. (See photos)

Photo 4 (thumbnail): Trailer vehicle seemingly intended to transport passenger cars. Vehicle securing devices remain in the cargo bed.

◆Using Yalu River Sandbars as Base Camps

Photo 5: Location 16 appears to be where smuggling is most active. About twenty vehicles stand on the sandbar used as a base camp, with a large parking lot visible on the North Korean side.

The most audacious smuggling hub is a sandbar near Kim Jong Suk County. As seen in satellite imagery, one side of the island has been cleared to serve as a smuggling base camp. Access from the Chinese side to the island is through a ford, while a temporary bridge has been constructed on the route from the island to North Korea.

Photo 6: Based on the island, the Chinese side is connected via a ford while the North Korean side is linked by a temporary bridge.

Following the road created by vehicle traffic reveals barbed wire fencing that appears to have been modified to open and close for vehicle passage.

Photo 7: A parking lot converted from farm fields is visible beside the Yalu River fence. Approximately 60 vehicles are parked there.

Past the fence, a large parking lot immediately appears, which seems to have been converted from farm fields based on previous satellite images showing crops growing there. As of September 13, 2025, over 60 large vehicles were parked in this expansive lot.
The scene captured by ASIAPRESS showing large vehicles traveling in convoy through Hyesan's outskirts can be interpreted as vehicles that crossed this way being transported to other regions.

Photo 8: Identical model cargo vehicles from the same manufacturer traveling in convoy out of Hyesan's outskirts. Presumed to be smuggled vehicles departing for other regions after completing procedures such as vehicle registration.

◆Evidence of Smuggling Exports as Well as Imports

Noteworthy is that numerous vehicles heading from the North Korean side toward China have also been detected. (See photos)

Photo 9: Three large trucks lined up facing the Chinese side at smuggling point 6.

Photo 10: Multiple vehicles passing through an opened fence section at smuggling point 15.

Until now, North Korea has focused on smuggling in essential materials such as machinery and equipment, vehicles and parts that fall under UN sanctions through state smuggling operations, but exports appear to be increasing recently.
This past October, ASIAPRESS reporting partners residing in Hyesan also said that state smuggling is not limited to vehicle imports, and that numerous "foreign currency-earning goods" including rare metals, minerals, and pine nuts are being sent to China.
A reporting partner in China's Jilin Province conveyed that "since around August, Chinese border guards have been turning a blind eye to illegal smuggling activities, including providing advance notice of patrol times."
With large-scale smuggling that raises questions about the effectiveness of UN sanctions unfolding recently in the northern North Korea-China border region, the international community's attention and response to this situation is needed.

※ All Hyesan, Ryanggang Province photos taken from the Chinese side of the border in September 2025 (ASIAPRESS)