North Korean House of Cards

digital devices and information from foreign sources, which is spreading
throughout North Korea. 600
Other bureaus directly involved in the SSD’s internal security function include
the Communications Interception Bureau, 601 which may be North Korea’s primary
signals intelligence agency, responsible for a system of listening posts throughout the
country. It monitors internal, foreign, civilian, and military transmissions. Other SSD
bureaus are responsible for external intelligence (Third Bureau), protection of Kim
Jong-un and other senior officials, as well as a number of management and protection
services. According to a former SSD officer who defected in the late 1990s, the SSD
frequently changes the designations of its bureaus. 602
600 “Kim Jong-un Declares War on Spread of Foreign Trends via Cell Phones, Computers,” NK
Intellectuals Solidarity, June 30, 2014.
601 “No. 27 Bureau of the State Security Department Leads Crackdown on Cell Phone Use in
North Korea,” NK Focus, February 21, 2008. According to this source, communications interception is
the responsibility of the Bureau 16. Another source notes that the Bureau 27 is responsible for developing
technology for jamming and monitoring radio waves. Bureau 27 is reportedly responsible for cracking
down on illegal cell phone use.
602 During the research for this study, the author came across different number designations for
the same bureau. In all likelihood, bureaus change designations over the years.
Ken E. Gause
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