Last September, ASIAPRESS used a super-telephoto camera to photograph the Wiyeon-dong area of Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, from an observation deck in Changbai County, China, across the border. This observation deck offers the closest view of North Korea anywhere along the China-North Korea border. The North Korean border guards captured on camera appeared better nourished and more neatly dressed than before. ASIAPRESS asked a reporting partner residing in Hyesan in mid-November about whether this change signified an overall improvement in military supplies. (JEON Sung-jun / KANG Ji-won)
◆ Chinese people stare at us as if we were animals in a zoo
-- The border guards' uniforms and nutritional condition looked good from the Chinese observation deck. Has military supply improved?
"(The overall situation) is the same. However, I heard that the border guard brigade specially selected robust and healthy soldiers for deployment there, and their supplies are somewhat different. I heard from a family I know with someone in the military that only 'strong kids' go to that area. They say uniforms and everything are given priority."
-- Is it because it's clearly visible from the observation deck?
"That's right. That neighborhood is 'Gwangan-dong,' which is closest (to China), and if you speak loudly, everything can be heard. Our side (North Korean authorities) strongly opposed (the installation of the observation deck) to the Chinese side, but (the Chinese) said it was a private investment they couldn't stop, so they just built it anyway.
Since Chinese people watch (North Korea) like they're looking at a zoo (from the observation deck), the authorities don't allow going out in shorts or underwear even in summer. They especially ordered that public toilets and private (outdoor) toilets be moved or made invisible."
※ The observation deck in question is a major tourist attraction in Changbai County, China, with construction beginning in 2020 and officially opening around 2022. Through transparent glass floors protruding over a cliff, visitors can look down on Hyesan in North Korea, with clear views of barracks and people's daily lives.
