◆ Enhanced authority: "Can now investigate even Party secretaries" — and internal oversight introduced
— Has the information bureau's authority been strengthened under the new structure?
"It has more power than before. Instructions have been issued that Party, administrative, and legal control organs [police, prosecutors, etc.] are to cooperate with the information bureau as a priority [when it conducts investigations]. Specifically, all equipment and vehicles are to be provided unconditionally in any matter involving the information bureau. Identity documents have also been changed. With those new documents, it is said that even a Party secretary or responsible secretary [senior Party cadres] can be investigated."
As enshrined in the constitution — "the state conducts all activities under the guidance of the Korean Workers' Party" — the Workers' Party is the supreme authority in North Korea. The reporting partner is describing the situation at the Musan County level, but the ability to investigate senior Party cadres represents an extraordinarily broad grant of authority for a security organization.
— Is there not a risk of excessive concentration of power within the information bureau?
"At the same time, an inspection section has been established within the information bureau. It reportedly monitors information guidance officers and tracks whether any irregularities are occurring. Additionally, if an initial investigation determines that a case does not fall within the information bureau's jurisdiction, it is to be handed over to the Safety Agency. It's different from the old days when the security department handled any and all cases — but even so, the information guidance officers themselves say the authority has been strengthened."
Similar changes to the secret police apparatus have likely occurred in other regions beyond Musan County, though ASIAPRESS has not been able to confirm this elsewhere. We will continue to investigate the situation.
※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.
