Criminal Groups Elude Detection in North Korea

The Opaque Governance of Criminal Networks

Seoul, South Korea - Despite efforts to combat organized crime, criminal groups remain elusive in North Korea, where the totalitarian regime’s opaque governance and lack of transparency make it difficult to estimate their structure and influence.

• Reports suggest that human smuggling brokers and informal trading groups for wood and wood products operate as loosely organized criminal networks, but their composition is unknown.
• The government’s stance against organized crime is vague, and its involvement in various criminal markets, including drug trafficking, arms trade, human trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrime, has been well-documented.

A Legal System Without Accountability

North Korea’s legal codes are based on German, Japanese, and Soviet Russian traditions, but in practice, the Workers’ Party of Korea makes the rules. The country lacks specific units dedicated to fighting organized crime, with the police handling ordinary crimes. A formal legal system exists, but it is widely corrupt and incapable of guaranteeing due process.

• The State Security Department has significant influence over the judicial system and detention, and there is ample evidence that people are often arrested and punished without any legal proceedings.
• The country’s penal system lacks international oversight, and reports suggest systemic violence and inhumane conditions in its prisons.

Border Control and Economic Inhibition

The border with China is considered porous, making it easy for illicit goods to be smuggled through. However, a new land border law passed by the Chinese government could potentially obstruct human smuggling and trafficking activities.

• North Korea’s economic environment is severely inhibited due to state control over all companies earning foreign currency and production quotas for all products.
• The country relies heavily on foreign currency earned through criminal activities, and despite allegations of cooperating with international organizations to combat money laundering, there is little evidence of such efforts.

Suppression of Freedom of Expression

The government exerts extensive control over the internet and communications in the country, with virtually unlimited jurisdiction to arrest and punish citizens without legal proceedings. North Korea is considered one of the worst countries in the world for freedom of expression, which is punished by imprisonment, forced labor, torture, or execution.

International Organizations’ Limited Impact

International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in North Korea focus on reducing suffering from famine and harsh conditions faced by the population, but there is no evidence to suggest that they work towards countering organized crime or supporting victims of organized crime. The country’s civil society is severely restricted, with prohibited assembly outside of government control.

Conclusion

In summary, North Korea’s criminal landscape remains shrouded in mystery due to its opaque governance and lack of transparency. Efforts to combat organized crime are hindered by the regime’s involvement in various criminal markets and its ability to manipulate the legal system to its advantage. The country’s economic environment is severely inhibited, and its civil society is severely restricted.