Posted on 02/09/2007 5:45:16 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
A source on N. Korea, "Arrests are taking time, and they fear that some guards could escape to a third country."
[2007-02-09 17:42 ]
N. Korean authorities are dispatching additional tracking squads to capture about 20 (N. Korean) border guards who escaped to China to avoid arrest by joint inspection team from Central Party, it has been learned.
A source on N. Korea matters informed us on Feb. 8 that they spotted 20 people at custom's office at Sambong, Onsung County, and they appeared to be joint tracking squads from Security Command. They were ready to cross the (Sino-N. Korean) border.
The source said, "About 20 agents in plain clothes who appeared to be the tracking squads lined up at Sambong custom's office, and were ready to cross the border to China upon order from their superior. The number of escaped border guards is rather large, their arrest is taking time, which may have prompted N. Korean authorities to dispatch an additional team."
He added, "N. Korean authorities must be concerned that the guards could escape to a third country such as S. Korea if their arrests are further delayed. Additional dispatch of tracking squads shows that N. Korean authorities regard this incident as a serious problem."
Related Article: N. Korea: A Platoon of Border Guards Escape (search squads dispatched to China)
He also said, "The agents making up the tracking squads would enter Chinese custom from Sambong custom, present Emergency Investigator's ID (which shows their status) to Chinese, go through brief checks and then move into Chinese territory, where they start their operation."
Tracking squads (already in China) along with Chinese state security reportedly expanded their search to include Changbai which is across Hyesan, Yanggang Province, and Jian which is across Manpo, Jagang Province.
It is learned that some of escaped guards have been arrested by Chinese state security, and undergoing investigation by Chinese. Chinese do not plan to send back ring leader(s) (of escapees,) which could be expected to create problems with N. Korea, according to the source.
Up until now, N. Korea's State Security Dept. have stationed tracking squads in Yanji, Shenyang, and Shanghai on a regular basis, and operated them to arrest wanted men and N. Korean defectors.
The tracking squads operate in coordination with Chinese security. The way it works is that Chinese security tip off whereabouts of suspects and the tracking squads make arrests, according to the source.
Another source said, "These (N. Korean) joint tracking squads will also get help from the (N. Korean) squad stationed in Yanji, but basically their operation will be joint efforts with Chinese security."
Kim Yong-hoon
By the way, what is it about China not planning to handover ring leaders of the escape? Is it an attempt to keep N. Korea on shorter leash?
DAMN Tiger that Soldier look mean
I thought Chia Pet send woman do man job
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.