North Korea has intensified its Chinese phone crackdown, targeting residents who previously used Chinese mobile phones. State security agents raided homes in border provinces including North Hamgyong, North Pyongan, and Ryanggang. Residents now fear nighttime searches.
Agents reportedly enter homes at all hours, often while families are asleep. On October 31 in Hoeryong, four officers searched a home linked to a former remittance broker. The individual had used a Chinese phone in the past but not since 2023. Agents said they were searching for hidden devices.
Previously, authorities targeted only people actively using Chinese phones. Now, they use past usage as justification. This approach has created widespread fear in border communities. Residents report difficulty sleeping and have begun hiding or discarding phones.
The government claims the crackdown blocks foreign information channels. Chinese phones are often used for communication or smuggling, posing a security concern. Analysts note that targeting past users strengthens government control.
In Ryanggang province, raids led to the arrest of three locals for possessing Chinese phones. Authorities now treat possession or historical usage as a serious offense, signaling a shift from reactive enforcement to preemptive control.
Experts say the Chinese phone crackdown is part of a broader strategy to intimidate citizens. It isolates border communities and disrupts communication networks that rely on Chinese devices.
Going forward, residents may continue hiding or disposing of phones to avoid arrest. The campaign shows the regime’s determination to control information flow and limit foreign influence. The Chinese phone crackdown now plays a central role in North Korea’s internal security, affecting thousands of border residents.
