18 March 2010

A few days ago, I mentioned that North Korea was raising the rent at foreign embassies. I wondered at the time whether that would violate the Vienna Convention, but I don’t see how this comports with Articles 31 and 35:

North Korea is also cracking down on the flow of information within foreign missions and agencies. The North rejected a request by a UN agency to use the Internet to send documents to UN headquarters. When diplomats make international phone calls, North Korean interpreters are there to listen in on the conversation, sources said.

“The North may want to block any details on Kim Jong-il’s health, disruption after the currency reform or other domestic affairs from reaching the outside world,” a South Korean government official said.

One Western diplomat, asking for anonymity, recently complained to a South Korean government official that diplomats in Pyongyang can’t talk to each other freely for fear of others listening in, and that they only vent their frustration when they’re out of North Korea.

Is it really that big a deal to have an embassy in Pyongyang?

Some great confiscation updates: North Korea’s economy continues to exhibit paranormal behavior. Open News reports that the price of rice rose 160% in one recent six-day period, and that the value of the new North Korean won has taken another plunge against the Chinese yuan and the dollar. The regime is driving this by printing and passing out wads of cash.

Thank goodness we know better here.

I wonder if he’ll kowtow:

The top issue on the agenda for North Korea is to have China approve the succession plan in North Korea. Kim Jong-Il also wants to have a commitment from China on capital investment and aid while he is alive. Additionally, he is aiming to solidify the succession of Kim Jong-Eun by receiving promises from the Chinese leaders on future political cooperation. [Open News]

Another topic of discussion will be a Chinese bailout of North Korea.

It’s not the first time I’ve heard this, but Kushibo links to a report about Kim Jong Il’s $4 billion slush fund stashed away in various European banks.