DPRK general named in counterfeit scheme
According to Fox News:
A top North Korean general and close advisor to the country’s leader, Kim Jong-Il, has been named by U.S. and foreign intelligence agencies as a key figure in the production of high-quality counterfeit $100 bills, called supernotes, according to documents and interviews cited by The Washington Times.
North Korean Gen. O Kuk-ryol, who was recently promoted to the country’s powerful National Defense Commission, is said to be in charge of creating the false $100 bills, which are produced to look nearly indistinguishable from authentic U.S. banknotes. Several members of the general’s family are also believed to be involved, the Washington Times reported.
A government report obtained by the Washington Times from a diplomatic source names Gen. O as one of the regime’s most powerful military figures, and the key person in charge of facilitating the succession of Kim Jong-Il by his third son, Kim Jong-un. The North Korean leader suffered a stroke in August, and his appearance in recent months suggests he is in ill-health.
The information about the general in the report was confirmed by a senior U.S. Intelligence official as well as by additional officials with knowledge of North Korean activities, the Washington Times reported.
North Korea has been linked to counterfeiting for many years, but the recent report is unusually detailed in its account of how North Korea is using illegal activities to raise funds for the regime and its reclusive leader. The new details were released as the United Nations considers new economic sanctions against North Korea for an underground test of a nuclear weapon last week.
The North Koreans deny the allegations.
You can read previous posts about counterfeiting here.
An organization chart of the DPRK leadership can be seen here in PDF format. Michael Madden constructed a biography of Gen. O which you can view here.
The Washington Times was founded by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who met Kim il Sung, and was responsible for the construction of the Potonggang Hotel in Pyongyang and Pyonghwa Motors in Nampo.
You can find the full Washignton Times story here:
N. Korea general tied to forged $100 bills
Washington Times
Bill Gertz
6/2/2009
