Staffs work at a North Korean bank. / Courtesy of dprk360.com



By Ko Dong-hwan

North Korea has now suffered its first bank robbery.

The unknown robbers infiltrated the Shinam branch of the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the city of Cheongjin, North Hamgyong Province, on Apr 4, Radio Free Asia reported Thursday citing a source from the province.

The robbers broke into the bank's main entrance and stole an unspecified amount of cash, the source said. The bank is currently out of service. The provincial police assumed there was an accomplice inside the bank.

After the incident at the branch, other branches of the bank beefed up security by bringing in more security personnel. Shinam branch took care of many customers compared with other branches because it mainly brokered trades.

"The robbery wouldn't have been possible without an insider's help," RFA said.

Banks across North Korea have reportedly stocked more cash than usual with the country's rare congress of the ruling Worker's Party of Korea set to begin on May 6.