North Korea has renamed its “front line approval number” to “national border approval number” for permits required to enter regions along the inter-Korean frontier, while also implementing new travel control measures including expanded access for capital residents.
A Pyongyang source told Daily NK last Thursday that the Ministry of Social Security recently instituted this change, making the permit system for the Korean Demilitarized Zone similar to that used for the North Korea-China border. The shift appears to align with Kim Jong Un’s recent declaration of the two Koreas as “two hostile states.”
“The certificate now matches the border certificate paper used for the North Korea-China border, just with a different color,” the source explained. This administrative change seems designed to reinforce the notion of the two Koreas as entirely separate nations.
In a separate development, Pyongyang residents have received expanded travel privileges for the new year. “The Ministry of Social Security, through the Pyongyang People’s Committee, announced that city residents can now visit all of South Pyongan province and Songlim in North Hwanghae province using just their residency cards,” the source said.
This represents a significant expansion of movement rights for capital residents, who previously needed special travel certificates for most inter-regional travel. The ministry framed this change as “a favor from the Workers’ Party of Korea,” telling Pyongyang residents to “feel pride as residents of the capital and show loyalty to the party this year.”
However, travel restrictions for provincial residents remain unchanged. “They can only travel within their home provinces using citizen IDs,” the source noted. “Visits to Pyongyang or border regions still require approval numbers and travel certificates.”
Special restrictions continue to apply for areas with military significance. “Separate approvals are still needed for places with defense or military facilities, such as Taegwan or Cholsan counties in North Pyongan province,” the source added.
The disparity has sparked frustration among provincial residents. A source in South Hwanghae province remarked, “This really highlights the enormous gap between Pyongyang and the provinces. We wish the authorities would at least ease restrictions for visiting nearby cities.”
