Law enforcement in North Korea

[2] The formal public security structure is augmented by a pervasive system of informers throughout the society.

[2] Below the ministry level, there are public security bureaus for each province and directly administered city.

[2] Public security departments at each city or county and smaller substations through the country are staffed by about 100 personnel and are led by subaltern officers.

[2] It is charged with searching out antistate criminals—a general category that includes those accused of anti-government and dissident activities, economic crimes, and slander of the political leadership.

[2] It has counterintelligence responsibilities at home and abroad, and runs overseas intelligence collection operations.

[3][2] The People's Border Guards are the paramilitary forces of the Ministry of Social Security[2] and are an independent institution separate from the KPSSF.

A policewoman in Pyongyang handling traffic, in 2007.
A North Korean police car in 2007; the Chosŏn'gŭl lettering on the side translates as "Traffic safety".
A North Korean police car in 2012; the Chosŏn'gŭl lettering on the side translates as "Traffic safety".
A North Korean police car in 2017; the Chosŏn'gŭl lettering on the side translates as "Traffic safety".
South Korean and North Korean authorities at the South Korea-North Korea border.