Due to international sanctions causing financial difficulties, North Korea closed seven of its embassies globally last year, including one in Dakar, Senegal. Reporters from RFA Korean Service were in the Senegalese capital for a different story when they unexpectedly toured the now-deserted embassy, providing a rare glimpse into the lives of North Koreans living abroad.
Overseas North Korean workers often face challenging conditions. It is estimated that as much as 80% of their earnings are sent back to the North Korean government. These workers are required to surrender their passports, which leaves them open to exploitation and means long periods away from their families.
However, there are instances where living outside North Korea can offer some relative freedoms and comforts, even though workers remain under strict surveillance. Ryu Hyun-woo, a former North Korean ambassador to Kuwait who now resides in South Korea, noted this contrast.
The former embassy in Dakar featured a white, two-story building that included a swimming pool, a rooftop deck, and a sizable room for hosting guests. Among the remnants found were wrappers for Chinese noodles and an empty DVD box.
One poster still hanging on the wall issued a caution about food combinations that could lead to health issues: mixing beef with spinach might cause stomach pain, while pork with ginger could lead to a sore throat. Hyun-woo mentioned that he had created a similar warning list during his time in Kuwait prior to his defection.
“Since we’re not always familiar with the types of food available in a place like Senegal, or whether they suit our tastes, it makes sense to be aware of foods that should not be eaten together,” Hyun-woo explained in an interview with RFA Korean.