Daily NK recently learned of several cases of robbery that have occurred in various areas of North Korea.
According to a Daily NK source on Sept. 22, a woman in her twenties was the victim of robbery on the street in Nampo on Sept. 12.
The woman, surnamed Choi, had met a man on the street who suggested to her that she “sell [her] hair, as it would fetch a high price.” Choi, who was suffering from money difficulties, gladly accepted this suggestion and upon confirming a date and location to meet they went their separate ways.
When she later met the man, however, she was attacked. After using a handkerchief covered in an anesthetic to render her unconscious, the man cut her hair and even took the clothes she was wearing before disappearing.
Choi had been told she would receive RMB 1,000 (around USD 154).
Similar cases of robbery have occurred even in the country’s capital, Pyongyang. At around 7 PM on Sept. 11, a twenty-year-old living in the Pyongyang Sopo District Station area was the victim of an aggravated robbery on their way home from work. Men riding motorbikes stole USD 100 and a cell phone after hitting the victim in the head with a cudgel.
Meanwhile, in Hyesan, two women recently pretended to strike up a conversation with an elderly man but then stole his bike.
“Lately, aggravated robbery and thievery are occurring constantly,” the source said. “It appears that people who are facing difficulties making ends meet commit crimes with a ‘sink or swim’ mindset.”
Please direct any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
