US ‘is still trading with North Korea’ despite sanctions
Most Americans may not realise it, but the US is breaking its trade embargo with North Korea.
An investigation by Associated Press discovered that North Korean workers process seafood that ends up on supermarket shelves in the United States, Canada and the European Union, and a big chunk of their salaries is taken by the North Korean government as it continues to develop nuclear weapons that are capable of striking the US.
At a time when North Korea faces sanctions on many exports, it sends of tens of thousands of workers around the world bringing revenue into North Korea estimated at anywhere from US$200 million (Dh734.6m) to $500m. That could account for a sizeable portion of its nuclear weapons and missile programmes, which South Korea claimed has cost more than $1 billion.
Shipping records show more than 100 cargo containers of seafood, more than 2,000 tonnes, were sent to the US and Canada this year from the Chinese factories that employ North Koreans. The workers wear overalls of a different colour to distinguish them from Chinese employees. They are closely watched, lack basic freedoms and keep little of the money they earn.
Some of the packaging on the seafood was branded in China with familiar names such as Walmart or Sea Queen, a seafood brand sold exclusively in the Aldi supermarket chain, which has 1,600 shops across 35 states. Other packages have markings from major German chains.
A law signed by president Donald Trump in August forbids American companies to import products made by North Korean workers anywhere in the world. Every western company involved that agreed to comment said forced labour and potential support for North Korea’s weapons programme were unacceptable in their supply chains. Many said they would investigate, and some said they had already cut ties with suppliers.