[UPDATES] More North Korean workers desert restaurant in China

By Park Sae-jin Posted : May 24, 2016, 08:34 Updated : May 24, 2016, 17:50
 

[Courtesy of Unification Ministry]


A group of North Korean workers deserted their restaurant in China this month, South Korea's unification ministry said Tuesday, in an apparent attempt to defect through a third country.

The ministry declined to give details but local media reported that three female workers from a state-controlled North Korean restaurant in China landed in a third country last week, awaiting a flight to Seoul.

"It's true that North Korean workers have deserted their restaurant abroad," South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck told reporters. "However, we cannot disclose details because of the safety of North Koran escapees, diplomatic protocol and relations with other countries."

Seoul officials have said that North Korean restaurants abroad have been experiencing business difficulty due to strict UN sanctions imposed in March against the cash-strapped country in retaliation for nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

In early April, 13 North Koreans defected to South Korea after fleeing from their restaurant in China. Pyongyang accused Seoul of abducting them against their will, but Seoul insisted they have come of their own volition. 

North Korean restaurants abroad have served as one of Pyongyang's important sources of hard currency. South Korean government data showed there are about 130 North Korean restaurants operating in a dozen countries. Pyongyang operates dozens of restaurants in China alone.

Western intelligence officials say North Korea's global network of restaurants often engage in covert espionage activities or have been linked to money laundering cases.

South Korean government data showed there are about 130 North Korean restaurants operating in a dozen countries. Pyongyang has dozens of restaurants in China alone.

Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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