North Korea orders citizens to build border defenses. With wood and long nails

Every household near the Chinese border in North Korea has been assigned a role in strengthening border defenses to prevent escapes. The directive requires them to construct spike-filled boards, a grim deterrent for those seeking to flee the "communist paradise".

According to Radio Free Asia, each family residing in the border town of Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, must manufacture two boards embedded with long nails. These are to be affixed to the recently installed fence along the Chinese border. Local residents have noted instances where individuals have successfully scaled this barrier and escaped. Hence, these spiked boards are intended to further discourage potential escapees who might risk impaling themselves.

The task is being undertaken by neighborhood watch groups. "It's part of a project aimed at fortifying the border to prevent escapes," a resident of Ryanggang informed Radio Free Asia. Their household is a member of the neighborhood watchdog unit, comprising 24 households in total. This unit has been asked to produce 50 planks, each roughly six-and-a-half-foot long, adorned with nails. The border fence in Hyesan, mainly composed of barbed wire, will be strengthened with these spiked planks, particularly in less populated areas, where escapes are reportedly easier - the resident added.

North Korean citizens express dissatisfaction that the government is shunting their responsibility onto them. "Our neighborhood watch unit was debating whether to complete this task collectively or if every household should undertake it individually. We decided on collective action. Consequently, each family must contribute approximately 2.35 dollars, or around 2,800 North Korean Won, for materials," another resident of Ryanggang disclosed to Radio Free Asia.

The North Korean population considers these ad-hoc charges in relation to government policies to be unjust. They already shouldered the cost of fence repairs during the summer. Moreover, local residents have reservations about the efficacy of the spiked boards as a deterrent. "No matter how sharp these spikes are, people will always find ways to escape. Many continue to cross the border, undeterred by existing barriers or armed guards," a resident of Ryanggang attested.