Inspection Invasion! Why North Korea’s Military Wants Into Every Home!

In North Korea’s northern Ryanggang province, a door-to-door inspection led by the military’s anti-socialism division is underway, targeting the hardwired propaganda speakers installed in every home. These speakers, which broadcast government messages and patriotic songs, are being checked to ensure they’re functional, as authorities insist they’re essential, especially during emergencies and wartime situations.

According to a resident of Ryanggang who spoke to Radio Free Asia (RFA) under anonymity, this latest inspection is more serious than previous checks. Conducted by Unified Command 82, a powerful anti-socialism agency formed in 2021 by consolidating several inspection units, the effort signals a strict crackdown on any possible “anti-socialist” lapses. Since October 11, the government has increased the broadcast of patriotic war songs, requiring residents to listen daily without fail.

“Starting on Oct. 21, Unified Command 82 went around each household in every neighborhood-watch unit to inspect whether there was a cable broadcast speaker and whether the residents were listening to the cable broadcast properly,” the resident explained.

By October 23, authorities began naming individuals who either lacked the speakers or were not paying attention to the broadcasts when inspectors arrived. The pressure on citizens is mounting, with households that do not have speakers being advised to quickly acquire them through the post office. These speakers, known locally as the “Third Network,” operate from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., delivering messages that often bypass other forms of media like television and radio.

The “Third Network” is modeled after the Soviet-era “radiotochka” system, which connected homes directly to a central broadcast point, allowing the government to reach every household with local news and mobilization instructions. The speakers represent an extensive and highly controlled communication network.

“This broadcast inspection is the second inspection conducted this year, with the last one in March,” said the resident. “Whenever the political situation becomes tense, the Central Committee inspects cable broadcasting to scare residents.”

In rural areas, however, maintaining the Third Network has become challenging. An agricultural worker in Ryanggang told RFA that many homes no longer have functional speakers, as the economic hardships of the 1990s led to an erosion of infrastructure. During the famine, some residents even cut the cables to sell for scrap metal.

To tackle the problem, local authorities have been holding emergency meetings, but the solution is costly. Some officials proposed that each household donate edible goods, like 10 kilograms of dried ferns or 5 kilograms of omija berries, which could then be sold to raise funds to buy broadcasting equipment from China.

“If each household offers 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of dried ferns or 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of dried omija, the local governments can [sell them] to purchase broadcasting lines from China to restore cable broadcasting,” the resident reported.

But the plan faced opposition, as officials pointed out that rural families already struggle to survive, making such contributions difficult. Despite the intense discussions, the meeting concluded without a firm plan. Officials ended with a threat to punish rural management and party leaders who fail to restore the Third Network by the end of November.

“There are threats every year that rural officials will be punished over the restoration of cable broadcasting, but no actual punishment has ever been carried out,” the agricultural resident noted.

As these inspections continue, the heightened focus on compliance with the Third Network system reflects the North Korean government’s effort to control information and prevent anti-socialist sentiments from spreading. For now, Ryanggang’s residents are under strict orders to keep their speakers running and tuned in.