North Korean doctors in Libya have
reportedly been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle gold and medical
supplies out of the country.
Tunisian newspaper Al-Maghreb reported that
six North Koreans were apprehended in mid-May for trying to leave Libya with
2kg of gold, Voice of America [VOA] said on Friday.
According to Al-Maghreb, the six North
Korean doctors had conducted medical treatments for some years in Libya. They
confessed they were about to leave the country with gold and cash, following
orders from the North Korean Embassy.
Due to international sanctions, North Korea
is mostly isolated from the global financial community, and gold trade has long
been a precious asset for the leadership.
The Libyan customs officials also found
large amounts of medicine and medical supplies in the doctors’ bags, for which
those arrested were unable to account the legality of their purchases.
There are hundreds of North Korean doctors
working in Libya, and a large portion of them are involved in supplies theft
and medical malpractice, Al-Maghreb reported.
North Korea frequently uses nationals
dispatched overseas to send back foreign currency even through illegal means.
Two North Koreans were arrested in Mozambique this May for engaging in illicit
trade of rhinoceros horns. They were released on bail paid by the North Korean diplomatic mission in South Africa. In addition, back in March another diplomat was caught
in an airport in Bangladesh, trying to bring in 27kg of gold.
