Flashermac Posted August 11, 2010 Report Share Posted August 11, 2010 Pyongyang’s cash-strapped totalitarian regime has offered to settle part of its debt to the Czech Republic with a large consignment of ginseng rather than eat into its limited funds. With the domestic economy crumbling, North Korea is also feeling the pinch of tighter international sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile programmes and the sinking of a South Korean warship. Its access to global markets is further hindered by outstanding international debts of about $12bn, two-thirds to former communist states. Czech officials confirmed that Pyongyang had offered to settle 5 per cent of its Kc186m ($10m) in accumulated debt in ginseng, an invigorating root used in dietary supplements and teas that are supposed to improve memory, stamina and libido. Communist Czechoslovakia was a leading supplier of heavy machinery, trucks and trams to North Korea. ... More Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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