Risky business: How a North Korean woman smuggled and bribed her way to success



Features Risky business: How a North Korean woman smuggled and bribed her way to success Kim Mi Sook shunned typical women’s jobs for dangerous but profitable ventures, making it big as a money broker Andrei Lankov August 9, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Young North Korean woman using a cell phone in Kangwon Province, Sept. 2011 \| Image: Eric Lafforgue A few years ago, a North Korean defector told this author that while women dominate commerce in the DPRK, other activities are almost exclusively done by men. “Men do dangerous things like, say, smuggling, or trade in gold dust, or antiques,” she said, as other refugees with her nodded in agreement. “It is not something a woman does.” A few years ago, a North Korean defector told this author that while women dominate commerce in the DPRK, other activities are almost exclusively done by men. “Men do dangerous things like, say, smuggling, or trade in gold dust, or antiques,” she said, as other refugees with her nodded in agreement. “It is not something a woman does.” 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. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Risky business: How a North Korean woman smuggled and bribed her way to success

Kim Mi Sook shunned typical women’s jobs for dangerous but profitable ventures, making it big as a money broker

Andrei Lankov August 9, 2022

Risky business: How a North Korean woman smuggled and bribed her way to success

Young North Korean woman using a cell phone in Kangwon Province, Sept. 2011 | Image: Eric Lafforgue

A few years ago, a North Korean defector told this author that while women dominate commerce in the DPRK, other activities are almost exclusively done by men.

“Men do dangerous things like, say, smuggling, or trade in gold dust, or antiques,” she said, as other refugees with her nodded in agreement. “It is not something a woman does.”

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