The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Wed, July 6, 2022 | 18:31
N. Koreans in Kuwait engage in illegal brewing of alcohol
Posted : 2016-04-22 17:15
Updated : 2016-04-22 17:16
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Some North Korean workers dispatched to Kuwait have been clandestinely brewing and trading liquor, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported Friday.

Quoting a source in the Middle East country, the RFA said that some North Korean laborers were found to be manufacturing a liquor called "sadeeqi" at their apartments in Kuwait.

With a taste similar to the Korean distilled liquor "soju," the illegally brewed spirit contains some 40 percent alcohol.

Made from rice, the liquor is also being traded at a high price on the black market in the Muslim country, where making, selling and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited by law.

Other media outlets said some 10 North Korean workers in Kuwait per year on average are ordered to leave the country for violating the local law prohibiting the drinking or brewing of alcohol.

Previously, some North Koreans were arrested for bootlegging and distributing illegal liquor after they converted their apartments into a distilleries.

In October 2014 alone, 22 North Korean workers in Kuwait were arrested on bootlegging charges, according to the RFA.

Other media reports said if North Korean workers are discovered selling the liquor to North Korean laborers or other people, they are deported back to North Korea.

According to local sources, the manufacturing cost for a box of sadeeqi (12 bottles) is estimated at US$20, but it is sold to regional smugglers for up to $50, making the business quite profitable and hard to root out.

There used to be almost 4,000 North Koreans, mostly construction laborers, in the country, but the number has dropped to 3,200, according to the RFA.

The North dispatches tens of thousands of workers abroad to raise hard currency for its struggling economy, stymied by sanctions and rampant inflation.

The latest reports said North Korean workers are concentrated in the suburbs of the Kuwaiti capital, where they build houses, hospitals and other facilities. They usually stay in military-style barracks. (Yonhap)

 
LG
  • Fashionista first lady draws polarized reactions
  • Price-conscious consumers flock to fresh food sales
  • Son Heung-min recalls experiencing racism in Germany, rejoicing at revenge in World Cup upset
  • Child porn website operator gets 2-yr prison term for concealing criminal proceeds
  • USFK member accused of alleged DUI on motorcycle
  • Korea's inflation soars to 24-year high, weighing on economy
  • June Huh becomes 1st scholar of Korean descent to win Fields Medal
  • Korea's inflation growth hits nearly 24-year high in June on fuel costs
  • US bill expresses concerns over proposed abolishment of Korean ministry of equality
  • Korea to expand nuclear power generation to 30% of total by 2030
  • Maroon 5's world tour image with Rising Sun design causes stir Maroon 5's world tour image with Rising Sun design causes stir
  • [INTERVIEW] How Frank Wildhorn became most popular musical composer in Korea [INTERVIEW] How Frank Wildhorn became most popular musical composer in Korea
  • [INTERVIEW] Yoon Doo-joon juggles music and acting for series 'Never Give Up' [INTERVIEW] Yoon Doo-joon juggles music and acting for series 'Never Give Up'
  • Enhypen returns with more intense music and performances Enhypen returns with more intense music and performances
  • Korea box office tops 15 mil. admissions in June Korea box office tops 15 mil. admissions in June
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group