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WORLD NEWS Saturday 29 december 2018

North Korea’s ‘Singapore shops’ expose gap in sanctions push

By ERIC TALMADGE make sanctions enforce-
Associated Press ment really bite: engaging
PYONGYANG, North Ko- the North is not as uniformly
rea (AP) — Despite the taboo with potential trad-
unwanted publicity of a ing partners as Washington
criminal trial for one of their might like.
main suppliers, business is China has long been
booming at Pyongyang’s Pyongyang’s biggest pipe-
‘Singapore shops,’ which line. With Ng on trial, it’s al-
sell everything from Ukrai- most certainly where most
nian vodka to brand-name of the Singapore shops’
knock-offs from China. The goodies come from, even
stores stock many of the if they originate elsewhere.
very things United Nations’ The two countries have
sanctions banning trade in a long border, a rail con-
luxury goods are intended nection, and almost-daily
to block and provide a flights between their capi-
nagging reminder that not tals that allow for the trans-
all potential trade partners port of a significant amount
are lining up behind the of goods. Russia is another
U.N.’s pronouncements or important trader. So have
the Trump administration’s been interests in countries
policy of maximum pres- like Egypt, which helped
sure on the North. fund and set up the North’s
Especially when there’s In this Dec. 21, 2018, photo, a North Korean woman walks outside Bugsae Shop, also known as the mobile phone system, and
a buck — or a few million “Singapore Shop,” in Pyongyang, North Korea. HB Oil of Mongolia, which
bucks — to be made. Associated Press was involved in a 2013
The stores are anything but dollars, euros and Chinese ed Nations sanctions for al- luxury goods to Pyongyang. deal to build gas stations in
secret. yuan. The price in each is legedly supplying $6 million They are also investigating Pyongyang.
They are well marked, displayed digitally on the worth of luxury goods to the a Singaporean business- Singapore, which in June
open to walk-ins and dis- cash register. Bugsae Shop from 2010 to man who is facing criminal hosted the summit be-
tribute their own mem- Both stores have been sub- 2017. This includes watch- charges in the United States tween President Donald
bership cards to reward stantially renovated since es “clad with a precious for allegedly violating sanc- Trump and North Korean
regular customers. Until re- last summer. metal,” jewelry, musical in- tions against North Korea. leader Kim Jong Un, has
cently, the name of their The Ryugyong store now struments and wine. While Ng denied any wrongdoing relatively close ties with
Singaporean partner, the has a coffee shop behind OCN is not mentioned, in an interview with the Sin- the North. North Korea runs
OCN Group, was printed the imported shoe sec- the charges accuse Ng gaporean newspaper The an embassy in Singapore,
on the Bugsae shop’s plas- tion on its second floor. The of trying to defraud banks Straits Times shortly after re- though Singapore does not
tic shopping bags. And Bugsae shop has installed through another of his ports of possible violations have an embassy in Pyong-
while being the focus of the dark wood paneling and companies, T Specialist In- became public. He said yang.
court case that could land glass casing for its wines ternational. OCN was the sole distribu- The two also have a long
OCN’s former director in and spirits corner, which Ng was charged on July tor of the popular Japa- history of doing business.
prison for a very long time, was recently dominated by 18 and granted bail of nese Pokka brand canned While rumors swirled about
they continue to unabash- vodkas from the Ukraine. It 500,000 Singapore dollars drinks in North Korea from how the Trump summit
edly specialize in imported has separate display areas ($364,645). A pretrial con- 2000 and 2012, but claimed might lead to the North
products — perfumes, fine for snacks and soft drinks ference is scheduled for OCN dropped that when getting its first McDon-
jewelry, wines, clothing and from Japan, Malaysia and Jan. 17. For each offense Japan imposed sanctions alds, a trio of Singaporean
cosmetics — that would China, a row dedicated under the U.N. sanctions banning such exports. Doc- businessmen had already
appear to blatantly violate to fancy shampoos, and act, Ng faces a maximum uments presented in court gotten the jump on the
U.N. restrictions. a section in the rear for sentence of five years in jail show that in early 2014 his Pyongyang burger mar-
Formally known as the Po- imported electronic ap- and a 100,000 Singapore other business, T Special- ket, in 2009. Burgers hot off
tonggang Ryugyong Shop pliances and household dollars ($72,929) fine. Each ist International, presented the grill of the chain of fast
and the Bugsae Shop, the goods. cheating charge comes a bogus invoice to a bank food restaurants started
stores are a fixture of the The well-stocked shelves with an additional maxi- from which it was seeking by Patrick Soh, Quek Cher
upscale shopping scene belie the hit supplies must mum jail term of 10 years a loan, claiming it had re- Lan and Timothy Tan called
in Pyongyang, catering to have taken with the arrest and an unspecified fine. ceived $522,410 for Pokka “Samtaesong,” or Three Big
the capital’s elites, Chinese of their former Singaporean Singapore authorities have sales. Stars, are almost required
businessmen and members trading partner. accused another Singapor- The case hints at an un- eating at an amusement
of the diplomatic corps. Ng Kheng Wah, 56, faces ean and a North Korean comfortable truth that has park next to Kim Il Sung
Purchases can be made in 80 charges of violating Unit- man of helping to supply long hamstrung efforts to Stadium.q