Ask a North Korean: introducing the "Smuggler Kingpin" of Hyesan | NK News
NK News Logo
December 23, 2024

NK News is hiring

Ask A North Korean

Ask a North Korean: introducing the “Smuggler Kingpin” of Hyesan

The story of our second new contributor, from starving taekwondo teacher to TV smuggler

Welcome to our second installment of Ask a North Korean, where NK News readers can send in their questions and have them answered by our North Korean writers.

Today we're introducing the second of our two new North Korean writers: Shim Tae-il (writing under a pseudonym). You can read our other North Korean writer's first piece here.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.