Image credit:The Seattle Times
North Korean diplomats are moonlighting as couriers, transporting cash and correspondence from North Korean labourers based in Russia to their families back home. This revelation, reported on August 12, 2024, raises questions about the activities of diplomatic staff and the broader context of North Korean labour practices abroad.
According to sources familiar with the matter, North Korean diplomats stationed in Russia have been involved in delivering funds and letters from labourers to their families in North Korea. These labourers, who are employed in various sectors including construction and manufacturing, often work under harsh conditions and are reportedly required to remit a significant portion of their earnings to the North Korean government.
The involvement of diplomats in these activities appears to be a strategic response to circumventing the strict controls and scrutiny typically associated with financial transfers and communication. By acting as intermediaries, these diplomats are allegedly helping to facilitate the flow of money and personal messages, ensuring that the labourers’ financial support reaches their families despite the logistical challenges.
The North Korean regime’s use of overseas labour has been a subject of international concern, with various human rights organizations highlighting issues related to exploitation and abuse. The involvement of diplomats in this capacity further complicates the narrative, raising ethical and legal questions about their roles and responsibilities.
The Russian government has not officially commented on these reports, and the North Korean embassy has yet to address the allegations. However, this situation underscores the complexities of North Korean labour practices abroad and the challenges faced by international communities in addressing them.