South Africa: North Korean diplomat arrested for illegal trade in rhino horn, expelled

Published December 23, 2015

A spokesman for South Africa's Department of International Relations says a North Korean diplomat was expelled after he was arrested for illegal rhino horn trading.

Nelson Kgwete said Wednesday that the North Korean official was arrested in neighboring Mozambique in May on charges related to rhino horn smuggling. The North Korean, who was not identified, was driving a car with a South African diplomatic registration. The diplomat returned to North Korea on Dec. 11.

South African news website, News24, reported the man was arrested after 4.5 kilograms (nearly 10 pounds) of rhino horn and $99,300 in cash were found in his car. News24 said Mozambican police released the man on $30,000 bail.

The North Korean Embassy in South Africa declined to comment.

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