North Korea has expressed opposition to China’s plan to establish radio transmission stations near their shared border, citing concerns about severe interference with North Korean frequencies, according to a report by Kyodo News on the August 25. This move is seen as a sign of escalating tensions between the two nations.
According to Kyodo News, North Korea conveyed its objections in an email sent to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on August 24. In the email, North Korea claimed that 17 of the planned Chinese stations, including one in Dandong, could cause “serious interference” and voiced strong opposition to the installation of these communication facilities near the border.
The email also noted that China had not requested prior coordination, stating that such actions would violate ITU guidelines and a bilateral agreement signed in 1981, although no specific details of the agreement were provided. Kyodo News described this as an unusual diplomatic action, indicating North Korea’s dissatisfaction with China.
Atsuhito Isozaki, a professor at Keio University, observed that signs of deteriorating relations could also be seen in the pattern of reports from North Korea’s state media. He noted that the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, has not mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping or the 75th anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations in recent months. “The current relationship does not seem normal,” he added.
Speculation about strained North Korea-China relations has been growing since June, when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sought closer ties with Russia through a strategic partnership treaty with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trade between North Korea and China, which accounts for over 90% of North Korea’s foreign trade, has declined for three consecutive months.
According to China’s General Administration of Customs, the trade volume between North Korea and China in July totaled $144.75 million, a significant decrease of 18.8% compared to June. North Korea-China trade has been on a downward trend since April, when it recorded $193.99 million.
Last month, reports emerged that China plans to repatriate all North Korean workers whose visas have expired, rather than allowing them to return home in phases. Additionally, it was confirmed that a commemorative plaque in Dalian City, China, honoring a summit between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un, had been removed.
BY JEASUNG BAE, YOUNGNAM KIM [hongdoya@joongang.co.kr]
