SEOUL, July 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korean smugglers are making money through illegal export of pork to China, the U.S.-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) said Tuesday, citing sources from the reclusive country. A North Korean source in Ryanggang Province told RFA that some North Koreans living in the border area with China are making a profit through pork smuggling. The informer said smugglers are making money because the price of pork in the North is only a third of the price in China. A kilogram of pork costs around 1,690 won (US$1.50), while in China, consumers would have to pay three times the amount. The source said the North Korean produced pork is in high demand with Chinese customers as they consider the meat more tender and tastier than Chinese pork. Pointing out that pork smuggling is a crime, the source told RFA that smugglers share their profits with border garrison guards and officials in the state security forces. He said the smuggling of pork is impossible without collusion with the military, and other powerful organizations. (END)
North Korean smugglers living near the Chinese border are profiting from illegal pork exports to China. Pork is reportedly valued three times higher in China than in North Korea, and Chinese customers consider North Korean pork to be better quality than locally-produced meat. The smuggling of contraband goods into China has been a problem for years