Ryugyong, a North Korean restaurant located in Dandong, Liaoning Province, China. /Photo=Daily NK
It is reported that about 150 North Korean workers dispatched to China through Hyesan Customs in Yanggang Province last month were distributed to clothing and seafood factories and restaurants and began earning foreign currency in earnest.
A Chinese North Korea-related source told Daily NK on the 6th, “North Korean workers who arrived in Jilin Province early last month were deployed to sites in various fields, and began work immediately after receiving related training.”
According to sources, most of the North Korean workers dispatched this time did not know where they would be assigned and worked when they were dispatched to China, and they only found out after arriving there after being dispatched.
They are currently deployed to a clothing factory and seafood processing factory in Jilin Province, and a restaurant in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. It is said that out of the 150 people, about 100 will work at a clothing factory and a seafood processing plant, and the rest will work as waiters at a restaurant.
It is reported that they began working in earnest around the middle of last month after receiving intensive training for a week at their assigned location.
The source said, “The Joseon workers who were newly dispatched to a clothing factory in Hunchun last month on a three-year contract are currently adjusting to the work on site.” He added, “They have just come out (overseas) after working in Joseon, so they are so excited now that they don’t know how difficult it is.” “You will work, but after some time, you will go through such difficult times that you will regret coming here (China) to work hard.”
In the past, North Korean workers showed no sign of fatigue and were motivated despite working for more than 10 hours a day at the beginning of their dispatch, but as they continued to live under various adverse conditions, such as strict control of outside access and poor compensation for their labor, they suffered physical and psychological damage. The source said he complained of pain.
At the same time, the source said, “It remains to be seen, but the workers dispatched this time will have more difficulty going out than previous workers and will live under stricter surveillance and control.” He added, “Not only is it against sanctions for North Korean workers to work here (China). “This is because the voices of the international community calling out their human rights continue to grow.”
Meanwhile, it was reported that workers dispatched to a restaurant in Shenyang began serving customers three days after arriving at the site. In fact, they were put straight into work without being able to properly adapt.
The source said, “They go through at least a week of on-the-job training before starting their actual work, but the workers dispatched this time were so busy at the restaurant that they started working as soon as they unpacked.”
He continued, “Comparing the workers who serve in restaurants with those who work in factories, the (working) environment is not so harsh, so they adapt easily,” adding, “Even though they just started working, they do a good job, so the restaurant manager is satisfied.” “We are doing it,” he said.
The source added that the restaurant in Shenyang is known for not only good food but also good service, so it is thriving with a constant flow of customers.
The Dong-A Ilbo previously reported that about 150 North Korean workers, mostly young people in their 20s and 30s, had been waiting since last May and finally crossed into China’s Jilin Province through Hyesan Customs early last month. (▶See related article: About 150 North Korean workers go to China through Hyesan customs after a long wait)
