How Did 'Cuckoo' Rice Cookers Get to Pyongyang? "Unauthorized Use of Kaesong Industrial Complex Equipment"

Unauthorized Use of Equipment Followed by Sales at Pyongyang Department Store
Property Rights Violation Suspected Due to Border Closure from COVID-19

It has been revealed that North Korea is producing products using production facilities left behind by South Korean companies such as Cuckoo Electronics when they withdrew from the Kaesong Industrial Complex in 2016.

On the 12th (local time), Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported, citing sources inside North Korea, that North Korean authorities are producing 'Cuckoo rice cookers' using equipment and raw materials within the Kaesong Industrial Complex and selling them at department stores in Pyongyang and other locations.

[Photo by Cuckoo Electronics]

When South Korean companies like Cuckoo Electronics withdrew from the Kaesong Industrial Complex in 2016, North Korea had previously stolen finished products left behind and sold them in domestic and international markets. Now, they are producing products themselves using the facilities.

Cuckoo Electronics, which owned a factory in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, reportedly left behind about 10,000 finished rice cookers and parts and materials sufficient to produce about 420,000 units when they withdrew. The production workforce consists of Kaesong residents who worked for Cuckoo Electronics while the complex was operational, according to sources.

It was reported that the electric rice cookers produced without authorization by North Korea in the Kaesong Industrial Complex are distributed and sold through department stores and shops in Pyongyang.

RFA reported that the rice cookers made in the Kaesong Industrial Complex are branded as 'Bieumseong Pressure Rice Cooker' and are sold for $50 (410,000 North Korean won) for a 6-person size and $80 (656,000 North Korean won) for a 10-person size.

A source said, "When the COVID-19 pandemic closed the borders and economic difficulties began, the central government allowed the use of production facilities, buses, and raw materials left in the Kaesong Industrial Complex."

He added, "Especially, electric rice cookers are kitchen products used in every household in Pyongyang, so demand is high. Therefore, the authorities are producing electric rice cookers using the production facilities and raw materials left by South Korean companies in the Kaesong Industrial Complex and distributing and selling them through Pyongyang's commercial network."

Operation of Facilities and Bus Services in Kaesong Industrial Complex Detected... "All Possible Measures"

Meanwhile, evidence of North Korea's unauthorized use of South Korean assets in the Kaesong Industrial Complex has been continuously detected through satellite images and North Korean state media. Recently, there have been claims that clothing factory equipment in the complex is being operated without permission to produce school uniforms and domestic clothing.

In response, the Ministry of Unification attempted to send a notice on the 6th demanding North Korea cease unauthorized use of South Korean facilities in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, but North Korea refused to accept it. From the following day, North Korea reportedly has not responded to regular calls between the inter-Korean joint liaison office and military communication lines without any explanation.

Additionally, on the 11th, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se issued a statement strongly condemning North Korea's unauthorized use of the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

Minister Kwon emphasized, "We will take all possible measures, including legal actions, to hold North Korea accountable for its illegal acts and actively cooperate with the international community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.