North Korean businesses defied the government decree and yet to close their operations in Nepal despite the government deadline.
The Department of Industry (DoI) – on September 16 – wrote letters to the North Korean business owners in Nepal to shut down their enterprises and repatriate their investment by October 31.
But defying the government’s notice, they are yet to cease their businesses. “The department is yet to receive formal notice from the North Korean business operators that they have ceased their operations in Nepal,” informed director of the department Binod Khadka.
The North Korean enterprises have not initiated the process of repatriating their investment, for which they need to approach the Finance Ministry and the central bank, he said, adding that the department is, however, planning to hold discussions with Industry, Home and Foreign Ministries for the next course of action. “We are waiting formal letter from the North Korean business owners that they have complied with the department’s instruction, closed their operations and repatriated their investment.”
The North Koreans have been operating nine business enterprises in Nepal – two software companies, a hospital and six restaurants – including Ne-Koryo Hospital in Tanahun district and Himal Chilbo Technical Solutions in Lalitpur district. “Likewise, they were also operating Hotel Re Min & Restaurant, Pyongyang Akugyan Nepal, Pyongyang Arirang Restaurant, Yong Bong Chand IT Company, Botonggang Restaurant and Bar, Himalayan Soje Restaurant and Minas Restaurant and Bar in Kathmandu district.”
The US had – on June 15 – asked Nepal not to entertain North Koreans in the country stating that Nepal as a member of the UN should respect the decision taken by the global body to impose sanctions on North Korea. The growing business activities of North Koreans in Nepal had become a matter of serious concern in view of the UN Security Council Resolution against Pyongyang.
The Foreign Minister – on July 1 – forwarded the report of UN resolution 2397 related to North Korean sanctions to the Industry Ministry and asked to take appropriate decisions.
Thus – on September 16 – Nepal banned North Korean investment in the Himalayan country and the Department of Industry (DoI) asked the North Koreans to close their businesses by the end of October.
Earlier – on August 9 – too, the department had written a letter to one of the restaurants – Hiamalayan Soju Restaurnet Pvt Ltd – run by North Korean, to close the business as according to the discussion with the business in the presence of North Korean Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Kim Jong.
“The department had held discussion with the investors from North Korea in presence of North Korean Embassy DCM Kim Jong to close all the businesses run by them by August 15,” the letter reads, adding that the agreement has not been implemented even after repeated telephone calls. “After repeated discussions with the embassy official and North Korean businesses, the department has given them the final deadline of October-end to shut down their enterprises and repatriate their existing investment.”
Nepal had then extended visas of foreign workers employed in the North Korean companies up to October 31 only.
The Department of Industry (DoI) – on September 16 – wrote letters to the North Korean business owners in Nepal to shut down their enterprises and repatriate their investment by October 31.
But defying the government’s notice, they are yet to cease their businesses. “The department is yet to receive formal notice from the North Korean business operators that they have ceased their operations in Nepal,” informed director of the department Binod Khadka.
The North Korean enterprises have not initiated the process of repatriating their investment, for which they need to approach the Finance Ministry and the central bank, he said, adding that the department is, however, planning to hold discussions with Industry, Home and Foreign Ministries for the next course of action. “We are waiting formal letter from the North Korean business owners that they have complied with the department’s instruction, closed their operations and repatriated their investment.”
The North Koreans have been operating nine business enterprises in Nepal – two software companies, a hospital and six restaurants – including Ne-Koryo Hospital in Tanahun district and Himal Chilbo Technical Solutions in Lalitpur district. “Likewise, they were also operating Hotel Re Min & Restaurant, Pyongyang Akugyan Nepal, Pyongyang Arirang Restaurant, Yong Bong Chand IT Company, Botonggang Restaurant and Bar, Himalayan Soje Restaurant and Minas Restaurant and Bar in Kathmandu district.”
The US had – on June 15 – asked Nepal not to entertain North Koreans in the country stating that Nepal as a member of the UN should respect the decision taken by the global body to impose sanctions on North Korea. The growing business activities of North Koreans in Nepal had become a matter of serious concern in view of the UN Security Council Resolution against Pyongyang.
The Foreign Minister – on July 1 – forwarded the report of UN resolution 2397 related to North Korean sanctions to the Industry Ministry and asked to take appropriate decisions.
Thus – on September 16 – Nepal banned North Korean investment in the Himalayan country and the Department of Industry (DoI) asked the North Koreans to close their businesses by the end of October.
Earlier – on August 9 – too, the department had written a letter to one of the restaurants – Hiamalayan Soju Restaurnet Pvt Ltd – run by North Korean, to close the business as according to the discussion with the business in the presence of North Korean Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Kim Jong.
“The department had held discussion with the investors from North Korea in presence of North Korean Embassy DCM Kim Jong to close all the businesses run by them by August 15,” the letter reads, adding that the agreement has not been implemented even after repeated telephone calls. “After repeated discussions with the embassy official and North Korean businesses, the department has given them the final deadline of October-end to shut down their enterprises and repatriate their existing investment.”
Nepal had then extended visas of foreign workers employed in the North Korean companies up to October 31 only.
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