North Korea has reportedly banned partying while attempting to tighten control on “outside” information coming into the secretive state, according to South Korea’s spy agency.
According to the South’s Yonhap News agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) told government officials Monday, Kim Jong Un is tightening his control as international sanctions begin to take their toll.
“(Pyongyang) has devised a system whereby party organs report people’s economic hardships on a daily basis, and it has banned any gatherings related to drinking, singing and other entertainment and is strengthening control of outside information,” the news agency quoted the NIS as saying.
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The North has been slapped with UN-mandated sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests and the U.S. hinted at more after it designated the country a state sponsor of terror.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the treasury department would impose more sanctions on North Korea and “related persons” starting Tuesday, without hinting who or what would be targeted. The move is part of rolling efforts to deprive Pyongyang of funds for its nuclear and missile programs and leave it internationally isolated.
“It will be the highest level of sanctions by the time it’s finished over a two-week period,” Trump said.
Citing “anecdotal information” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said sanctions against the North were beginning to have an effect.
“I think the general belief is that it is having a significant effect on North Korea,” Tillerson told reporters. “We know that there are current shortages of fuel…we know that their revenues are down because a number of revenue streams are being curtailed now.
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“I think it is having an effect, is this the reason we haven’t had a provocative act in 60 days? I don’t want to suggest to you that I can say that. We’re hopeful this period will continue,” Tillerson said.
The North hasn’t launched a missile since lobbing one over Japan on Sept. 15.
On Tuesday, North Korea said the sanctions maker their workers “stronger.”
“The hostile forces’ desperate efforts to block the advance of (North Korea) make the indomitable spirit of the Korean workers stronger and make them produce a great miracle startling the world,” Yonhap News quoted state media as saying.
The North’s state media also released undated photos showing Kim “inspecting” auto manufacturing plant Sungri Motor.
–with a file from the Associated Press
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