In January Beijing and Pyongyang closed their border and suspended all trade, leaving North Korea economically isolated from its largest trading partner and primary source of foreign currency. Pyongyang, which plans to hold its ruling party congress in January, has ordered each trade worker stationed in China to contribute 12,000 yuan (U.S. $1,788) – and an equal amount for each spouse -- under threat of repatriation if they fail.
onsdag 28. oktober 2020
Cash-Strapped North Korea Orders Workers in China to Pay Into ‘Loyalty Fund’
Authorities in North Korea have ordered trade workers dispatched by the government to China to pay “loyalty funds” to help Pyongyang deal with shortfalls brought on by the prolonged coronavirus pandemic, even as the workers struggle to make ends meet during a year-long downturn in commerce, sources in China told RFA.
In January Beijing and Pyongyang closed their border and suspended all trade, leaving North Korea economically isolated from its largest trading partner and primary source of foreign currency. Pyongyang, which plans to hold its ruling party congress in January, has ordered each trade worker stationed in China to contribute 12,000 yuan (U.S. $1,788) – and an equal amount for each spouse -- under threat of repatriation if they fail.
In January Beijing and Pyongyang closed their border and suspended all trade, leaving North Korea economically isolated from its largest trading partner and primary source of foreign currency. Pyongyang, which plans to hold its ruling party congress in January, has ordered each trade worker stationed in China to contribute 12,000 yuan (U.S. $1,788) – and an equal amount for each spouse -- under threat of repatriation if they fail.
