Kim Jong-un makes people take handwriting tests to catch ‘traitors’ who wrote anti-regime graffiti at market
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered handwriting tests for citizens in a bid to trace "traitors" responsible for anti-regime graffiti. There have been several unverified reports of dissidents being punished harshly by the despot, including by execution, The Sun reported. This time, however, Kim's security forces have reportedly been ordered to find those responsible for writing slogans against the Hermit Kingdom's purportedly brutal leadership. Citizens, including minors, are being forced to give handwriting samples with both their hands, per the report.
Kim's regime has for long been accused of brutality against those who may undermine the dictator. Per the report, a sign reading “Down with party officials, who live well by exploiting the people,” was scrawled on the fence surrounding the Unsan county marketplace in South Pyongan. The incident reportedly took place around mid-September.
“The local security department is in an uproar,” a resident of South Pyongan told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity. “Under the orders of the security department, the leaders of the local neighborhood watch units visited each household, making both adults and children write with pens on paper to be submitted to the security department,” the source continued. “They are closely comparing the graffiti and the handwriting examples, but they have yet to catch the criminal. So, they are starting a second handwriting investigation. The first time they made everyone write with their right hand, but this time, all the residents must write with their left."
The source reportedly claims that citizens are enraged that the security department is focused on a handwriting investigation instead of addressing the public sentiment that may have inspired the controversial slogan. Speaking to RFA, another source claimed that people from outside the province — who may have been in the area at the time of the incident — were also required to submit handwriting samples to the authorities.
“Last week I received a quarantine permit and went to my relative’s house in Unsan, South Pyongan province,” explained the second source, hailing from neighboring North Pyongan province. “While I was going about my business, a local security agent called me in for questioning. The security agent asked me about when I came from North Pyongan province and made me write on a piece of paper with my right hand and left hand. After confirming that my handwriting is different from the graffiti, he let me go.”
The second source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two-week investigation had backfired considering the unknown person who wrote the slogan has become a cultural hero. This comes shortly after reports that North Korea reportedly executed five public officials after they privately criticized Kim Jong-un at a dinner party. Sources claimed that their families were transferred to the notorious North Korean gulag 'Camp 15' in Yodok.
Kim is said to have carried out a number of executions since his rise to power, with the most high profile killing believed to be that of his own uncle General Jang Song-thaek. Reporter Bob Woodward claimed in his book 'Rage' that the North Korean despot often bragged about putting his uncle's head on display for others to see.
