I believe cell coverage is much more limited than that.
--Boot Hill
Actually, the South Korean telephone units (CDMA) are much more preferable in that area for several reasons. They are also less susceptible to NK jamming. The GSM units can go approximately 15 kms, whereas the CDMA's go 18 kms. (The problem here is that Ryongchon is said to be about 25 kms from the border and hence, those towers. I am not sure if this is line of site or what). I think it should only be a matter of time to see if the Korean Worker's Party had out a party circular demanding seizure of both GSM and CDMA units by everyone, in that area. If so, there would be no other explanation for it than there had been an assassination attempt, and cell phone technology had been used. If such a circular can be brought out intact (and reputable), well, there's one smoking gun for sure.