Bootleg Liquor, Fake Drugs Punishable by Death in N.Korea

North Korea recently issued warnings against making bootleg liquor and drugs and said such offenses are punishable by death.

The warning was issued by the state security agency on June 11, saying people who aid bootleg liquor and drug makers and those who sell them face the death penalty. The North also warned that relatives of offenders will be banished.

The warning accuses bootleggers of being "anti-party and anti-North Korean," and warned that offenders' money and equipment will be confiscated. It called on supervisory agencies to "ruthlessly stamp out" such illegal practices.

One source said authorities issued the warning because problems associated with bootleg liquor and drugs are taking on epidemic proportions.