Bangladesh–North Korea relations (original) (raw)

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Bilateral relations

Bangladesh-North Korea relations

Map indicating locations of Bangladesh and North Korea
Bangladesh North Korea

Bangladesh–North Korea relations (Korean: 방글라데슈–조선민주주의 인민공화국 관계) refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and North Korea.

North Korea had a resident embassy in Bangladesh.[1] Bangladesh ambassador to China also represents Bangladesh in North Korea.[2] In 2012, a North Korean diplomat was fined 2.5 million taka for the possession of illegal wine.[3] North Korea has a branch of its Pyongyang Restaurant chain in Dhaka. The restaurant is staffed by North Korean personnel and serves North Korean cuisine.[4] In May 2015, the restaurant manager, a North Korean National was arrested for selling illegal Viagra and alcohol out of the restaurant.[5] Following a raid at the restaurant, an assistant director of Customs Intelligence called the restaurant "a hub of illicit activities".[6]

In March 2015, a North Korean diplomat, Son Young-nam, was expelled from Bangladesh after he was caught trying to smuggle 1.7 million dollars worth of gold, which was seized in the airport.[7] The North Korean ambassador to Bangladesh apologized after the incident.[8]

Symantec and BAE Systems had found involvement of North Korea in the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist through the hacking of the bank.[9][10] In August 2016, Han Son Ik, first secretary of the North Korean embassy, was expelled for "illegal activities". He was found to be smuggling cigarettes and electronics worth half a million dollars.[11] In January 2017, a Rolls-Royce Han had bought in Bangladesh was seized by Bangladesh Customs.[12]

Bangladesh imported 34.8millionworthofgoodsfromNorthKorea,whileNorthKoreaimported34.8 million worth of goods from North Korea, while North Korea imported 34.8millionworthofgoodsfromNorthKorea,whileNorthKoreaimported5.31 million worth of goods from Bangladesh in 2002.[13]

  1. ^ "North Korean Diplomat Caught Smuggling $1.4 Million in Gold in Bangladesh". Time. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Bangladesh, China Sign Off on 27 Bilateral Deals, Including Counter-Terror Cooperation". BenarNews. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Bangladesh kicks out North Korean diplomat for smuggling goods". The Indian Express. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  4. ^ "A little slice of Pyongyang away from home". The Economist. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  5. ^ "North Korean arrested in Bangladesh for sales of Viagra, alcohol". UPI. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  6. ^ "N Korean man held with booze, Viagra in Dhaka". The Daily Star. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  7. ^ "Bangladesh seizes gold from North Korean diplomat". BBC News. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  8. ^ Chowdhury, Syed Tashfin. "North Korea Apologizes After Diplomat Caught Smuggling $1.4M of Gold into Bangladesh". VICE News. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  9. ^ "North Korea Linked To $81 Million Bangladesh Bank Heist". NPR. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  10. ^ "What does North Korea mean for Bangladesh?". Dhaka Tribune. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  11. ^ "Bangladesh kicks out N Korea diplomat for smuggling 1 mn cigarettes". Hindustan Times. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  12. ^ "Bangladesh seizes former North Korean diplomat's Rolls-Royce". News Nation. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  13. ^ Seoul, Yonhap News Agency (27 December 2002). North Korea Handbook. M. E. Sharpe. p. 310. ISBN 9780765635235. Retrieved 9 February 2017.