A North Korean worker in Russia has been sentenced to harsh punishment after embezzling workers’ salaries for months and causing turmoil at his Vladivostok-based trading company.
A source in Russia, speaking anonymously, told The Daily NK that the company manages civilian construction workers and is one of the largest North Korean businesses in Vladivostok.
The man embezzled 10% to 20% of his colleagues’ salaries each month, amassing $15,000. The figure was so large that it shocked not only workers at the company in question, but also workers at other North Korean companies in Russia who heard about it.
Civilian workers are usually sent to construction sites in work teams of 30 to 40 people. The team leader brings in contracts, issues work orders, and supervises the workers, but he also delivers the workers’ paychecks. While performing this last duty, the man gradually stole the salaries of his co-workers.
“Civilian construction workers generally earn $200 to $300 a month, but the actual amount varies a bit from month to month depending on the hours and intensity of the work,” the source said. “So even though the man was pocketing some of the workers’ wages for months, no one knew about it at first.”
However, the workers began to complain to the company when they felt something was amiss – they were working long hours, but their salaries remained low. That is when the man’s embezzlement came to light.
The workers were receiving 10% to 20% less per month than what the company was paying the man.
Man stripped of position and pay for a year
After his crime came to light, the man was immediately punished with “revolutionization.”