North Korea strictly cracks down on remittances, but remittance brokers often secure their release with substantial bribes, Daily NK has learned.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source in North Pyongan Province told Daily NK last Thursday that a trader in Sinuiju (identified by the pseudonym “Kim”) was arrested in early July after state security agents discovered that he had transferred money to another North Korean on behalf of a Chinese trader.
Kim, a former trader in China, had brought his Chinese cell phone back to North Korea. He used the device to work as a remittance broker between China and the interior of North Korea, a profitable business.
Previously, North Korean remittance brokers had relative freedom to transfer money to people in other regions by cell phone or to deliver cash in person. Recently, however, police and state security agents have aggressively pursued and punished these brokers.
Kim had been investigated by state security agents in May, but managed to hide his broker status and avoid punishment. However, when the recipient of a remittance was caught, the trail led the agents to Kim.
Surprise release from prison leads to rumors about the power of bribes
Given the government’s crackdown on remittance brokers, Kim’s friends assumed he would not be able to buy his freedom. Contrary to expectations, state security agents released Kim after only a few days.
Believing that his chances of release would diminish once a formal investigation began, Kim offered the agents a substantial bribe of RMB 50,000 (around USD 7,000).
As rumors of Kim’s release spread, locals whispered that even the most intense investigation could be circumvented with a bribe.
“Recently, some traders were arrested by state security agents and charged with espionage for contacting an unidentified Chinese merchant without permission. They thought their bribe was rejected because of the espionage charge, but it seems they simply didn’t offer enough,” said a North Korean involved in trade.
“This incident reminds us that you can buy your freedom with the right bribe, no matter how severe the crackdown,” the North Korean remarked, adding bitterly, “As bribes become more expensive, only the poor get caught.”
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
Please send any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
July 16, 2024 at 12:45PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)