Room 39, Secret financial organization in Pyongyang, North Korea
Room 39 is an organization in Pyongyang, North Korea, that handles international financial operations for the state. The offices sit within the central party headquarters and coordinate activities through representatives and businesses based abroad.
The organization formed in the late 1970s as a response to the country's economic isolation. It was meant to secure foreign currency for state purposes and open alternative sources of income.
The organization reflects North Korea's self-reliance philosophy through its methods of generating revenue and maintaining economic sovereignty despite international restrictions.
The organization works through trading channels and companies in Asia and Europe to enable international transactions. Its activities run across multiple locations and use different economic networks.
The organization manages trading companies that export North Korean products such as pharmaceuticals and precious metals through unconventional routes. These channels allow access to markets despite international restrictions.
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