[imText1]Drug dealings have been occurring frequently amongst North Korea\u2019s wealthy class which has led to an increase in people \u201ctaking medicine\u201d an inside source recently informed. <\/p>\n
Further, an underground casino for foreigners at Yangkag Hotel, Pyongyang, is known to have been openly circulating drugs. Yangkag Hotel is an elite hotel and was built in 1995 in co-partnership with France. Currently, the hotel operates a casino used by foreigners.<\/p>\n
The source informed on the 30th, \u201cDrug dealers directly approach the wealthy class who live around the borders of North Korea-China\u201d and revealed, \u201cPeople fall for the dealer\u2019s trap and hence the number of addicted drug sellers and wealthy class is increasing.\u201d <\/p>\n
A few North Korean tradesmen even testified that a large number of the rich living in the border regions of North Korea, have in fact dealt with drugs in one form or another. Apparantly, about 3 out of 10 rich persons in North Korea have had some experiences with drugs and most of the long-distance drivers in North Korea take drugs. <\/p>\n
One North Korean tradesman \u2018H\u2019 revealed, \u201cDrug dealers con North Koreans with money by saying that the \u2018medicine\u2019 clears the head and acts as an aphrodisiac by giving you strength. Then they let the buyers taste-test the drug for free.\u201d H said, \u201cAfter a few times, the majority of these people become addicted and the dealer sets up a relationship to sell the drug for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018J\u2019 who lives around the border regions expressed the seriousness of the drug issue by telling his own story. Through North Korea-China trade, J\u2019s brother-in-law had accumulated a lot of wealth. One morning without any warning, he suddenly died in which J had thought was a hart attack. However, he later found out from his sister that drugs had been the cause. <\/p>\n
For the past 2 years, J\u2019s brother-in-law had been earning money and also spending it on drugs. He tried to quit on numerous occasions but was unable to escape from the persistent temptation by the drug dealer. As time passed, the symptoms of an addict surfaced which ultimately led to a drug overdose and death. <\/p>\n
J said, \u201cNever in my dreams could I have imagined that a good person like my brother-in-law would become a drug addict. Though authorities are enforcing regulations and punishment on the misuse of drugs, the problem is that there are no specific penalties or laws. If this keeps going, things could get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
The source said, \u201cNorth Korean authorities have made numerous decrees on various occasions stating that they will toughen punishment. But there are no specific rules or law and so there is no control over the offenders.\u201d The source added, \u201cThe truth is, it will be difficult to penalize everyone according to the decrees set as many people throughout the regions of North Korea are now using drugs including the rich living in the cities.\u201d <\/p>\n
On the other hand, the district of Hamheung is receiving much focus as it is known to be the base for drug manufacture. Drugs sold on the black-market in Pyongyang, Chongjin and Shinuiju are considered of high quality and receive utmost trust if the drugs have been made in Hamheung. <\/p>\n
Hamheung\u2019s history dates back to when the chemical industry was first booming in North Korea. As a result, North Korea authorities began to produce medicinal drugs to attract more foreign currency. When the economic situation worsened, workers and the elite were known to have stashed drugs secretly in order to make money.<\/p>\n
In addition to this, as lifestyles became more difficult, there were rumors suggesting that chemical analysts brought some raw materials of Philopon from China to secretly make drugs within the labs. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not only Hamheung. Drugs are easily available even in Pyongyang\u201d the source said and, \u201cDrugs are openly traded at the underground foreigners casino in Yangkag Hotel (for Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese tourists).\u201d <\/p>\n
The source continued, \u201cThe elite in Pyongyang often take drugs and this hotel is known for its stash of drugs\u201d and added, \u201cThe Safety Agency and the Protection Agency must take action. Otherwise, the situation is only going to get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[imText1]Drug dealings have been occurring frequently amongst North Korea\u2019s wealthy class which has led to an increase in people \u201ctaking medicine\u201d an inside source recently informed. Further, an underground casino for foreigners at Yangkag Hotel, Pyongyang, is known to have been openly circulating drugs. Yangkag Hotel is an elite hotel and was built in 1995 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":164,"featured_media":4053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[645],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy"],"yoast_head":"\n