As smugglers vanish from North Korea’s border, security agents’ lifestyles take a hit

North Korea's crackdown on smuggling has forced state security agents, who relied on illicit income, to drastically alter their lifestyles. Once affluent from managing smugglers, agents in North Pyongan province are now seen riding bicycles instead of motorcycles or taking taxis, a stark contrast to just a few months ago. The decline in smuggling has not only affected the local population but also the agents who profited from the trade, as they no longer have access to side income.

The government's efforts to centralize all foreign trade under state control have severed the relationship between smugglers and security agents, leading to a frugal lifestyle for those involved. While the overall living standards have improved compared to the past, the gap in daily life between those relying solely on rations and those with occasional side income remains stark.