North Korea said it was tightening up internal security after the US carried out military drills with its ally South Korea.
The move has provoked fury among North Koreans, some of whom accused their government of not caring whether they “live or die”.
The US and South Korea launched a series of military exercises on August 19 codenamed the Ulchi Freedom Shield.
The military drills have been slammed by Pyongyang, which has accused Washington and Seoul of “rehearsing a war of aggression”.
The Institute for American Studies, under the control of the North Korean Foreign Ministry, branded the exercises as “the most offensive and provocative war drills for aggression in the world.”
In response, Pyongyang ordered on August 18 more “wartime security efforts” across the country.
These include increased security at major facilities, particularly those linked to the cult of personality around the country’s leaders.
A source in North Hamgyong Province told the Daily NK: “In accordance with orders to strengthen wartime security efforts on August 18, the city of Hoeryong has tightened round-the-clock security at statues, revolutionary battlefields and historical sites.”
However, the move has infuriated North Koreans, who are struggling to eke out a living.
One Hoeryong resident said: “They’re ratcheting up surveillance on our families under the guise of bolstering security.
“Far from being helpful, that makes things harder on everybody.”
“If you leave your post for even a moment while on guard duty, you’re treated like some traitor,” said another.
“They impose all kinds of non-tax burdens and labour duties on us at a time when many people can barely afford a bowl of gruel.
“And as if that weren’t enough, they’re forcing us to stand guard with our neighbourhood watch unit. It’s as if they don’t care if we live or die.”
The joint US and South Korean military drills will last 10 days and run through until August 29.
The aim of the drills is to uphold peace and security on the Korean Peninsula in case of war.
