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Bangladesh–North Korea relations

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Bangladesh-North Korea relations
Map indicating locations of Bangladesh and North Korea

Bangladesh

North Korea

Bangladesh–North Korea relations (Korean방글라데슈–조선민주주의 인민공화국 관계) refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and North Korea.

History

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North Korea had a resident embassy in Bangladesh.[1] Bangladesh ambassador to China also represents Bangladesh in North Korea.[2] In 2012, a North Korean diplomat was fined 2.5 million taka for the possession of illegal wine.[3] North Korea has a branch of its Pyongyang Restaurant chain in Dhaka. The restaurant is staffed by North Korean personnel and serves North Korean cuisine.[4] In May 2015, the restaurant manager, a North Korean National was arrested for selling illegal Viagra and alcohol out of the restaurant.[5] Following a raid at the restaurant, an assistant director of Customs Intelligence called the restaurant "a hub of illicit activities".[6]

In March 2015, a North Korean diplomat, Son Young-nam, was expelled from Bangladesh after he was caught trying to smuggle 1.7 million dollars worth of gold, which was seized in the airport.[7] The North Korean ambassador to Bangladesh apologized after the incident.[8]

Symantec and BAE Systems had found involvement of North Korea in the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist through the hacking of the bank.[9][10] In August 2016, Han Son Ik, first secretary of the North Korean embassy, was expelled for "illegal activities". He was found to be smuggling cigarettes and electronics worth half a million dollars.[11] In January 2017, a Rolls-Royce Han had bought in Bangladesh was seized by Bangladesh Customs.[12]

Economic

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Bangladesh imported $34.8 million worth of goods from North Korea, while North Korea imported $5.31 million worth of goods from Bangladesh in 2002.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "North Korean Diplomat Caught Smuggling $1.4 Million in Gold in Bangladesh". Time. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Bangladesh, China Sign Off on 27 Bilateral Deals, Including Counter-Terror Cooperation". BenarNews. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Bangladesh kicks out North Korean diplomat for smuggling goods". The Indian Express. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  4. ^ "A little slice of Pyongyang away from home". The Economist. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  5. ^ "North Korean arrested in Bangladesh for sales of Viagra, alcohol". UPI. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  6. ^ "N Korean man held with booze, Viagra in Dhaka". The Daily Star. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  7. ^ "Bangladesh seizes gold from North Korean diplomat". BBC News. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  8. ^ Chowdhury, Syed Tashfin. "North Korea Apologizes After Diplomat Caught Smuggling $1.4M of Gold into Bangladesh". VICE News. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  9. ^ "North Korea Linked To $81 Million Bangladesh Bank Heist". NPR. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  10. ^ "What does North Korea mean for Bangladesh?". Dhaka Tribune. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  11. ^ "Bangladesh kicks out N Korea diplomat for smuggling 1 mn cigarettes". Hindustan Times. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  12. ^ "Bangladesh seizes former North Korean diplomat's Rolls-Royce". News Nation. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  13. ^ Seoul, Yonhap News Agency (27 December 2002). North Korea Handbook. M. E. Sharpe. p. 310. ISBN 9780765635235. Retrieved 9 February 2017.