North Korea has begun constructing a new border fence on Wihwa Island, one of two Yalu River Special Economic Zones (SEZs) opposite Dandong agreed with China in mid-2011.

The fence, about one-kilometer long so far, is under construction in Hadal-li, a small village three kilometers upstream from Sinuiju on the banks of the Yalu River.

Soldiers began constructing the new fence on August 25, erecting Y-shaped concrete pillars in front of a row of riverside houses flanked by watchtowers.

Residents who regularly go down to the water’s edge