What is Happening in North Korea?

It has been reported that North Korea has blocked the movement of its residents both into and out of its capital city of Pyongyang on the 69th anniversary of the Labor Party foundation on Oct. 10.

“The North declared a nationwide Special Security Week from 8 a.m. Oct. 9 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11, and closed the border,” Free North Korea Radio reported by quoting a source in North Hamgyong Province, adding, “The declaration has been made for every national holiday, but the atmosphere is a little bit different this time.”

According to the broadcast, only access to Pyongyang used to be blocked during a Special Security Week, but those in Pyongyang are also banned from moving to other regions this year. In other words, Pyongyang is completely sealed off now.

A Special Security Week for resident movement restriction is implemented on the national holidays of North Korea such as Jan. 1, Kim Jong-un’s birthday (Feb. 16), Kim Il-sung’s birthday (April 15), National Liberation Day (Aug. 15), DPRK Foundation Day (Sept. 9), and Labor Party Foundation Day (Oct. 10).