North Korea remittance broker fees jump to 50% amid crackdown
North Korean authorities have sharply intensified crackdowns on illegal money transfers made using Chinese mobile phones. Remittance brokers near the country’s border say their fees have climbed as a result, jumping from about 40% to more than 50% in 2026. A source in North Hamgyong province told Daily NK on Thursday that remittance fees in […]
North Korean authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal money transfers, causing remittance fees to surge from 40% to over 50%, according to sources in North Hamgyong and North Pyongan provinces. Brokers are now demanding payment upfront due to the heightened risk, limiting transactions to trusted defector families.
Punishments have become severe, with some caught facing labor reeducation or political prison camps. This has pushed defectors to bear the financial burden of the increased fees, despite the high costs.
Written by urgent.news from Daily NK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
