Room 39- Exhibit

Room 39 or Bureau 39 is possibly one of the most mysterious organization in North Korea that seeks conduct to get hold of foreign legal tender for Kim Jong-il, North Korea’s Chairman of the National Defense Commission. Room 39 was established in the late 1970s. It has been described as the lynchpin of the North’s so-called “court economy” centered on the dynastic Kim family. It is unknown how the name originate. Very little is known about Room 39 due to the mysterious nature surrounding the organization, but it is widely speculated that the organization uses 10 to 20 bank accounts in China and Switzerland for the purposes of counterfeit, money laundering, and other illicit transactions. It is also alleged that Room 39 is implicated in drug smuggling and illicit weapon sales. It is known, however, that the organization has 120 foreign trade companies under its influence and is under the direct control of Kim Jong-il. North Korea has denied taking part in any illegal activities. Room 39 is believed to be located inside a ruling Workers’ Party construction in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea.