North Korean workers and imports continue to cross border into China despite UN sanctions
- More than 2,000 North Koreans are still being employed in one part of Jilin province, the Post has learned
- Sanctions take their toll on the Chinese side of the border, but some seafood imports are still making their way into local markets
Labourers and seafood products from North Korea can be easily found across the border in a northeast Chinese county that is reeling economically from United Nations sanctions aimed at curbing Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, sources with ties to Chinese companies and North Koreans say.
A UN Security Council resolution approved last year required the return home of all North Koreans working overseas by the end of 2019 to prevent Pyongyang from using the money it took from the workers to fund its growing nuclear weapons programme.
Other sanctions banned imports of North Korean seafood, iron and iron ore in a bid to dry up US$3 billion of annual export income.
But more than 10 sources linked to the Chinese companies and directly tied to North Korea told the South China Morning Post that companies in Hunchun county in Jilin province were still hiring North Koreans. More than 2,000 North Koreans are working in local pharmaceutical and clothing factories, according to other sources.
Seafood from North Korea is also still available locally despite the ban.