Travel certificate bribes surge in North Korea as corruption crackdown bites

Bribes for travel certificates, required for movement between regions in North Korea, have sharply increased in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong province, according to a source. The government's anti-corruption crackdown on officials accepting bribes is partly responsible for the price surge. Previously, a carton of cigarettes, worth 100 to 130 yuan, sufficed to secure quick approval; now a minimum of 500 yuan is demanded, making it difficult for lower-income individuals to travel.

One individual paid 1,500 yuan for a travel certificate to visit an inland business location. The government has intensified its anti-corruption efforts, ordering stricter verification of travel purposes and dismissing officials involved in bribery. This risk has led certificate issuers to demand higher bribes to compensate. Travel certificates are necessary for events like weddings and funerals, but business travel has become more common since the 1990s.

The size of the bribe influences the speed of certificate issuance, with wealthy individuals obtaining one within a few days by paying 1,000 yuan or more, while others may wait weeks or longer. Reusing the same certificate multiple times is a practice, but the heightened risk of getting caught without the proper stamp could result in detention or labor training.

North Koreans express frustration, stating that without alternative ways to earn income, the cost of bribes effectively bars travel.