Country Advice China – CHN38353 – – Cross

Border Visits – Tourist – Documents – Korean Heritage – – – – Rajin 11 March 2011

1. Can you confirm whether it was possible in 2003 for a Chinese national of Korean heritage to travel into North Korea as a tourist, stay for four days in Rajin and surrounds, and return? What documents are needed?

Several sources of information indicate that it is possible that, in 2003, a Chinese national of Korean heritage was able to travel into North Korea as a tourist, stay for four days, and return. Rajin is within driving distance (approximately 67km1) from Hunchun and it was a popular destination for Chinese tourists at the time. Several sources indicate that North Korea generally allowed Chinese tourists to enter into North Korea using only a Chinese identity document prior to 2004. Several sources also indicate that a sizeable Chinese community of Korean heritage (850,000 members) is located in this border area of China and North Korea, and cross-border travel and business has been conducted for years with some ease.2

Figure 1, below, shows the following locations in China: Yanji, Hunchun, and Yangbian; and Rajin located in North Korea. Rajin is located 50 km from the border with China reachable via an unpaved road.3

1 ‘Distance from Rajin and Hunchun’ 2000, Microsoft Encarta Interactive World Atlas 2000 – Attachment 1. 2 Mong, A. 2009, ‘A glimpse across the North Korean border’ World Blog NBC News MSNBC.com website, 4 June http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/06/04/4376423-a-glimpse-across-the-north-korean-border - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 2. 3 Rank, M. 2010, ‘North Korea: beyond the capital lies a different world’ The Guardian, 26 September http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/26/north-korea--beyond-capital/print - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 3.

Page 1 of 6 Figure 1 Locations of Yanji, Hunchun, in the Yanbian Korean , in Jilin Province, China, and city of Rajin in North Korea

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The largest concentration of ethnic-Korean Chinese nationals live in the border areas including Yanji and Hunchun. China’s Yanbian Autonomous Korean Prefecture5 also encompasses this area, reflecting the demographic composition of this region.6

For reference purposes, a map showing cities in the Rajin area of North Korea and the border areas of China is provided below in Figure 2.

4 Colin, S. 2003, A border opening onto numerous geopolitical issues, French Centre for Research on Contemporary China, Revues.org website http://chinaperspectives.revues.org/385?&id=385 - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 4. 5 Colin, S. 2003, A border opening onto numerous geopolitical issues, French Centre for Research on Contemporary China, Revues.org website http://chinaperspectives.revues.org/385?&id=385 - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 4 6International Crisis Group 2006, Perilous Journeys: The Plight of North and Beyond, 26 October, http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/north-east-asia/north- korea/erilous_journeys___the_plight_of_north_koreans_in_china_and_beyond.ashx - Accessed 5 November 2010 Attachment 5.

Page 2 of 6 Figure 2 Rajin area of North Korea and the border areas of China

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The city of Rajin is now more commonly referred to as Rason (the name changed in 2004), and prior to that it was known as Rajin-Sonborg. Rason is a contraction of Rajin-Sonorg. Rajin (or Rason) is located in the Kwanbuk region of North Korea and is part of the Raijin- Sonborg Economic Special Zone. This special economic zone designation was established in the early 1990s to promote economic development in the region due to a steady level of trade with China and the presence of a strategic port and harbour. While investment initially lagged, in recent years there have been renewed efforts by both North Koreans and Chinese investment companies to develop the area. 8

A 1996 New York Times article described the appearance of Rajin, stating that the city is located approximately 9 miles from Sonborg. Rajin’s streets at the time were largely unpaved, very few cars were observed and many residents live in duplicated six-story concrete apartments with balconies. The population is listed as in the tens of thousands9

7 Rajin area of North Korea and the border areas of China’ 2000, Microsoft Encarta Interactive World Atlas 2000 – Attachment 6. 8 Snyder, S. 2010, ‘Rajin-Sonbong: A Strategic Choice for China in Its Relations with ’ The Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development Northeast Asia Peace and Security Project, 25 April http://www.nautilus.org/publications/essays/napsnet/forum/2009-2010/10025Snyder.html - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 7. 9 Pollack, A. 1996, ‘The Real North Korea: The Bustle of a Mausoleum’, New York Times, 23 September http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E3DA103DF930A1575AC0A960958260&pagewanted=all - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 8.

Page 3 of 6 The 2010 article by Scott Snyde, entitled Rajin-Sonbong: A Strategic Choice for China in Its Relations with Pyongyang reports on the history of Rajin, relations with China, and efforts to develop cross border trade in the area. The article reports that in 2008, North Korea was Jilin Province’s fourth largest trading partner with official volumes listed to be $770 million. This activity indicates substantial cross-border relations and activities making it likely that Chinese travelled to Rajin in significant numbers.10

The February 2010 article Chinese Businesses Pour into N.Korea's Rajin-Songbong refers to improved border transiting conditions in recent years and notes that Chinese citizens have been visiting the area since the 1990s. While the article does not refer to specific documentation requirements, it says many past controls have recently been eliminated, including long waiting times at borders and restrictions on activities for Chinese going to the Rajin area.11

A common border crossing point in these areas is the Quanhe-Wonjong border crossing. A 2005 article by the East Asia Forum on economic development in Rajin stated that negotiations were under way between Hunchun (China) local government officials and North Korean to upgrade the dirt road to Rajin. Subsequent reports state the road was still not paved by 2010.12 The article also stated that the North Koreans built a large customs facility at Wonjong to handle Chinese goods coming over the border going to port facilities in Rajin.13 Several reports indicate that the North Koreans are currently working to encourage Chinese and other foreign investment in Rajin to improve infrastructure and generate income.14

Several sources indicate that between 2000 and 2004 Chinese tourists travelled to Rajin to visit the Emperor Hotel and the attached Orakjang Casino, which opened in 2000. It was constructed by a Hong Kong property developer. The hotel and casino was a popular Chinese tourist destination until a North Korean official was found guilty of gambling with public funds and the casino was closed. 15

The Tumen River runs along border between China and North Korea in this area. Please see previous Figure 2 which shows the location of the Tumen River and the border. 16

10 Snyder, S. 2010, ‘Rajin-Sonbong: A Strategic Choice for China in Its Relations with Pyongyang’ The Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development Northeast Asia Peace and Security Project, 25 April http://www.nautilus.org/publications/essays/napsnet/forum/2009-2010/10025Snyder.html - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 7. 11 ‘Chinese Businesses Pour into N.Korea's Rajin-Songbong’ 2011, The Chosunilbo, 26 February http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/26/2011022600387.html - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 9. 12 Snyder, S. 2010, ‘Rajin-Sonbong: A Strategic Choice for China in Its Relations with Pyongyang’ The Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development Northeast Asia Peace and Security Project, 25 April http://www.nautilus.org/publications/essays/napsnet/forum/2009-2010/10025Snyder.html - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 7. 13 Snyder, S. 2010, ‘North Korea’s renewed push for foreign investment at Rajin-Sonbong’ East Asia Forum website http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2010/03/12/north-koreas-renewed-push-for-foreign-investment-at-rajin- sonbong/print/ - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 10. 14 See for example: Sung-ki, J. 2010, ‘China to Use N. Korea’s Rajin Port for 10 Years’ The Korea Times, 3 August http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/12/120_62002.html - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 11. 15 North Koreans traveling to Rason to gamble’ 2011, North Korean Economy Watch website http://www.nkeconwatch.com/category/civil-society/sports/ - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 12. 16 Colin, S. 2003, A border opening onto numerous geopolitical issues, French Centre for Research on Contemporary China, Revues.org website http://chinaperspectives.revues.org/385?&id=385 - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 4.

Page 4 of 6 There are several Chinese tourist companies offering travel arrangements for Chinese to visit North Korea.

Documentation

No source could be located specifically listing the required documentation for a Chinese to cross the border into China in the vicinity of Hunchun in 2003. However, two sources indicate that is likely that a Chinese tourist visiting Rajin for a short visit could enter using only a Chinese identity document, such as a Hukou and that a passport and visa were not required.

According to a 2006 International Crisis Group report on North Korea and Chinese relations, the normal procedures for Chinese tourists intending to visit North Korea involved applying for a visa at North Korean embassies or consulates. These applications usually had to have an invitation from a North Korean entity attached. However the report states that there were exceptions for Chinese visiting the Rajin-Sonbong special economic zone; for short visits copies of Chinese identification cards were sufficient.

Tim Johnson is a journalist who has travelled in North Korea and who is a knowledgeable source. He reported in 2006 on completing a journey to Rajin that: ‘For decades, North Korea has been the easiest foreign destination for the Chinese. Until last year, they didn't even need passports.’ This statement indicates that it is likely that a Chinese identity card, such as a Hukou, was sufficient documentation for Chinese tourist to enter North Korea for a short visit to Rajin in 2003.17

Attachments

1. ‘Distance from Rajin and Hunchun’ 2000, Microsoft Encarta Interactive World Atlas 2000.

2. Mong, A. 2009, ‘A glimpse across the North Korean border’ World Blog NBC News MSNBC.com website, 4 June http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/06/04/4376423-a-glimpse-across-the- north-korean-border - Accessed 11 March 2011.

3. Rank, M. 2010, ‘North Korea: beyond the capital lies a different world’ The Guardian, 26 September http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/26/north-korea-rason-beyond- capital/print - Accessed 11 March 2011.

4. Colin, S. 2003, A border opening onto numerous geopolitical issues, French Centre for Research on Contemporary China, Revues.org website http://chinaperspectives.revues.org/385?&id=385 - Accessed 11 March 2011.

5. International Crisis Group 2006, ‘Perilous Journeys: The Plight of North Koreans in China and Beyond’, 26 October, http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/north- east-asia/north- korea/erilous_journeys___the_plight_of_north_koreans_in_china_and_beyond.ashx - Accessed 5 November 2010 .

17 Johnson, T. 2006, ‘River journey shows stark differences between China, North Korea’ World News website http://article.wn.com/view/2006/08/07/River_journey_shows_stark_differences_between_China_North_Ko/ - Accessed 11 March 2011 – Attachment 13.

Page 5 of 6 6. ‘Rajin area of North Korea and the border areas of China’ 2000, Microsoft Encarta Interactive World Atlas 2000.

7. Snyder, S. 2010, ‘Rajin-Sonbong: A Strategic Choice for China in Its Relations with Pyongyang’ The Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development Northeast Asia Peace and Security Project, 25 April http://www.nautilus.org/publications/essays/napsnet/forum/2009- 2010/10025Snyder.html - Accessed 11 March 2011.

8. Pollack, A. 1996, ‘The Real North Korea: The Bustle of a Mausoleum’, New York Times, 23 September http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E3DA103DF930A1575AC0A960 958260&pagewanted=all - Accessed 11 March 2011.

9. ‘Chinese Businesses Pour into N.Korea's Rajin-Songbong’ 2011, The Chosunilbo, 26 February http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/26/2011022600387.html - Accessed 11 March 2011.

10. Snyder, S. 2010, ‘North Korea’s renewed push for foreign investment at Rajin- Sonbong’ East Asia Forum website http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2010/03/12/north- koreas-renewed-push-for-foreign-investment-at-rajin-sonbong/print/ - Accessed 11 March 2011.

11. Sung-ki, J. 2010, ‘China to Use N. Korea’s Rajin Port for 10 Years’ The Korea Times, 3 August http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/12/120_62002.html - Accessed 11 March 2011.

12. North Koreans traveling to Rason to gamble’ 2011, North Korean Economy Watch website http://www.nkeconwatch.com/category/civil-society/sports/ - Accessed 11 March 2011.

13. Johnson, T. 2006, ‘River journey shows stark differences between China, North Korea’ World News website http://article.wn.com/view/2006/08/07/River_journey_shows_stark_differences_betwee n_China_North_Ko/ - Accessed 11 March 2011.

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