Trader loses all her medicine after defying police

In October 2026, a medicine trader in Chongjin, North Korea, lost her entire stock of drugs after refusing a police officer's request for free medicines. Her store was seized by a joint inspection team from the Ministry of Social Security. She regained her goods by paying an even larger bribe. The trader, who graduated from a pharmacy college and previously worked in a hospital pharmacy, quit her state job due to irregular salary payments.

She began trading medicine privately, supplying smaller drug sellers who struggled to buy stock in bulk. Despite North Korea's free healthcare, many people rely on the black market for medicine, with prices at private markets skyrocketing. Private sellers like her are essential in filling the gap left by the state health system.

However, North Korea's crackdown on private drug trade has increased, with officials frequently confiscating drugs and threatening traders with harsh penalties. The trader's case highlights how her attempts to negotiate with the police often backfired, leaving her in constant fear of raids. Now, Chongjin market vendors criticize the agents for abusing their power over small drug traders.