Number: RL33885
Title: North Korean Crime-for-Profit Activities
Authors: Liana Sun Wyler and Dick K, Nanto, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: A challenge facing U.S. policy makers is how to balance pursuing anti-drug, counterfeiting, and crime policies vis-à-vis North Korea against effectively pursuing several other high priority foreign policy objectives, including (1) nuclear nonproliferation negotiations via the Six-Party talks, (2) limiting ballistic missile production and export, (3) curbing terrorism, and (4) addressing humanitarian needs. As the Six-Party process has proceeded in 2008, it appears that the U.S. overriding goal of denuclearization outweighs concerns related to DPRK illicit activity (with the exception of proliferation of nuclear weapons technology and materials). Such illicit activity, however, could surface again as an issue as talks proceed on diplomatic normalization with the DPRK.
Pages: 18
Date: August 25, 2008