N. Korean Smuggler

[Anchor Lead]

A North Korean man was captured by Chinese customs officials in the Chinese city of Dandong while attempting to smuggle 90,000 U.S. dollars into North Korea. He is presumed to be an official from the North Korean trade representative.

[Pkg]

An international train bound for Pyongyang departs from Dandong Station, China, once every day. On September 1, a North Korean man was caught attempting to pass through a customs checkpoint. Spotting his suspiciously bulging belly, a customs official searched the man and found that he had wrapped his stomach with stockings containing 90,000 U.S. dollars. The identity of the arrested man has not yet been confirmed, but he is presumed to be a high-ranking official from the North Korean trade representative department, given that he was attempting to smuggle out such a large amount of money all at once.

[Soundbite] "Can this amount of money only be handled by a person of a trade representative rank?"

[Soundbite] N. Korean Source(Voice modified) : "Yes. A representative. A person who is stationed."

It is highly unusual for a smuggling attempt by a North Korean to be discovered, since train conductors ordinarily overlook many cases in return for monetary bribes.

[Soundbite] N. Korean Source(Voice modified) : "Train conductors make deliveries in return for certain commissions per one thousand U.S. dollars. They receive the money and deliver it."

It appears that the North Korean trade representative's attempt to smuggle out the large sum of U.S. dollars is related to massive recent inspections on trade representatives stationed in Vladivostok and China.