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North Korean Inns Quietly Turn Into Meth Deal Spots as Authorities Tighten Drug Laws
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Inns in North Korea are increasingly being used as locations for methamphetamine transactions and drug consumption as government crackdowns push narcotics activity further underground, according to Daily NK on March 11.
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The outlet reported that lodging facilities in the city of Hamhung, located in South Hamgyong region, have become common venues for drug-related activity.
A growing number of people are renting rooms specifically to conduct methamphetamine deals or to use the drug away from public view.
According to Daily NK, inns in North Korea are officially intended to accommodate travelers and individuals on business trips from other regions. Under state regulations, guests are required to present a national ID and a travel permit when checking in, and staff must record the visit.
However, individuals involved in drug transactions reportedly bypass these rules by bribing hotel staff, allowing them to rent rooms without presenting documents or being entered into the official guest log.
“People who trade methamphetamine in units of tens to hundreds of grams often test the product before paying, so transactions take time,” the source said, according to Daily NK. “Doing it at home carries a high risk of getting caught, so they use inns to stay out of sight.”
The same locations are also reportedly used by people who consume narcotics. According to Daily NK, individuals often purchase methamphetamine and then rent rooms where they can use the drug privately.
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“People who use drugs buy methamphetamine and then pay inn staff to rent a room where they use it,” the source said. “Many go to inns specifically to hide their drug use from their families.”
The report also noted that inns have become a common meeting point for extramarital relationships. Daily NK described a recent incident in early March in which a couple was caught leaving an inn in Hamhung by a relative and publicly confronted.
North Korea enacted a new anti-narcotics law in July 2021 aimed at curbing drug production, trafficking, and use, introducing severe penalties including forced labor sentences and, in serious cases, the death penalty. The measures have pushed drug activity further underground rather than eliminating it.
“If it becomes known that inns are being used for drugs or affairs, the authorities will tighten inn inspections too,” the source said, according to Daily NK. “But people will simply find another third location to go to.” The source described the situation as an ongoing “cat-and-mouse game” between authorities attempting to strengthen enforcement and individuals trying to evade detection.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Russia and North Korea are nearing completion of a joint factory project that could help Moscow bypass sanctions while providing Pyongyang with revenue through labor and industrial cooperation.
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