North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has just ordered for all pet dogs in the capital city of Pyongyang be confiscated, saying that the canines represent Western “decadence.”

A source told the English edition of Chosun Ilbo that Kim issued the order last month that pet dogs needed to be rounded up, claiming they were part of “a ‘tainted’ trend by bourgeouis ideology.”

“Ordinary people raise pigs and livestock on their porches, but high-ranking officials and the wealthy own pet dogs, which stoked some resentment’’ among the lower classes, the source said. “Authorities have identified households with pet dogs and are forcing them to give them up or forcefully confiscating them and putting them down.’’

Though Kim is claiming that this move was made to clamp down on capitalist extravagance in Pyongyang, dog owners are afraid that he is actually doing it to feed people, given North Korea’s food shortage and propensity for dog meat. The insider said that the dog owners are “cursing Kim Jong Un behind his back,” but otherwise, their hands are tied.

“Ordinary people raise pigs and livestock on their porches, but high-ranking officials and the wealthy own pet dogs, which stoked some resentment,” the source said.

This comes after Kim cracked down on defectors in a terrifying way, forcing citizens who either live or travel near the Chinese border to sign a pledge saying that they will not try to escape.

The New York Post reported that anyone North Korean who wants to travel within the nation already needs special permits to do so. Now, they will need to go through even more red tape if they want to travel someplace near the country’s border with China.

“Since early this month, residents who need travel certificates to go to the border areas must submit a document with their fingerprint on it confirming they will never defect from North Korea,” a resident of North Hamgyong province told Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service.

“Citizens used to be allowed to verbally declare they had no plans to defect, and get inter-provincial travel passes by showing a certificate of citizenship and character references,” the resident added. “Stamping another fingerprint to get a travel certificate is not that difficult, but it is unpleasant that so many confirmation documents have been added, and people going to the border areas feel frustrated that they are being treated as potential escapees.”

“An acquaintance of mine applied for a permit to travel to the border area to attend his mother’s 70th birthday party,” another insider added. “He was able to go to his hometown after going through all that difficulty, but his daughters, who are married and live in Hwanghae and Pyongang provinces, were unable to attend, so the party was held without them, in an atmosphere of disappointment.

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

Read more at UpliftingToday.com:
Ghislaine Maxwell ‘Boasted About Performing Sex Act On George Clooney,’ Epstein Accuser Claims
John Wayne’s Daughters Defend Him After Controversial Interview Resurfaces – He ‘Loved People’
Judge Smacks Down Ghislaine Maxwell – Rejects Her Request To Keep Explosive Documents Sealed

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Steve Gruber.