North Korean diplomats in Pakistan were allegedly making a brisk profit in illegal alcohol sales, before they were apprehended on April 1. Photo by Lev Radin/Shutterstock.com

KARACHI, Pakistan, April 7 (UPI) -- A North Korean couple identified as diplomatic envoys to Pakistan were apprehended on the side of a road for the illegal sale of alcohol.

The pair took advantage of their immunity as foreign diplomats to sell whiskey and beer inside Karachi's upscale Defence Housing Authority, Voice of America reported Tuesday.


The diplomat, who was only identified by his surname Chong, is not the first North Korean national to be taken into custody by Pakistan authorities, along with his wife.

In January 2013 North Korean diplomats were caught selling alcohol to local restaurants and international school employees. They sometimes delivered the goods using North Korean embassy vehicles.

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The sale of alcohol in public areas is illegal in Muslim-majority Pakistan.

The North Korean diplomats took advantage of their foreign envoy privileges to purchase high quality whiskey from duty-free stores.

Voice of America reported the North Koreans were making a brisk profit.

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A bottle of whiskey, such as a Chivas Regal, purchased at $40 would switch hands at $70 to $100. A pack of beer purchased at $30 would be sold at $150.

A source inside Pakistan said the illegal sales were funding North Korean embassy operations in Karachi. South Korean newspaper Donga Ilbo reported the diplomats were engaging in the activity to also send much needed foreign currency back to Pyongyang.

Pakistan authorities released the North Koreans on the basis of their immunity as diplomats. In 2013, a Pakistan investigation into another North Korean diplomat lost traction, and the apprehended man, No Chu Sik, returned safely to Pyongyang.

In March a North Korean diplomat was caught while attempting to smuggle $1.7 million worth of gold into Bangladesh.