Work passes for all North Koreans revoked by S’pore govt

SINGAPORE — The Government has revoked all work passes for North Korean nationals in the city state, according to a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) outlining the measures taken to implement sanctions against the reclusive regime.

The report dated March 19 said: “Singapore has revoked the work passes of all nationals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) earning income in Singapore and will not grant new work passes to nationals of the DPRK.”

“There are therefore no nationals of the DPRK with work passes in Singapore.”

In November, Singapore suspended trade relations with Pyongyang. The move came about two months after the United States imposed North Korea-related sanctions on a number of firms and individuals, including two entities based in Singapore.

A month later, the UNSC unanimously adopted resolution 2397 in response to North Korea’s launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile. It also called for the repatriation of all North Korean nationals earning income abroad, with some humanitarian exceptions, to the DPRK within 24 months.

Earlier this month, the Government said it is investigating two local companies accused of supplying luxury goods to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions.

Singapore’s report to the security council added that under the Immigration Act, North Koreans are screened against the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority’s system during entry clearance.

DPRK nationals who are persons designated under relevant UN resolutions “will be denied entry and returned to their last port of embarkation, in accordance with international practice”, it said. “Singapore also imposes a visa requirement on all nationals of the DPRK who wish to enter Singapore.”