Government officials in Valletta, Malta, pictured, declined to grant extensions to work visas earlier this year for about 20 North Korean laborers amid allegations that Pyongyang is taking two-thirds of the workers' wages, perhaps to invest in its nuclear program. Malta, which has had formal diplomatic relations with North Korea for 45 years, is the first European Union member state to effectively deport North Korean workers in an effort to push for reforms in the isolated communist nation. File Photo by Tatyana Vyc/Shutterstock
VALLETTA, Malta, July 28 (UPI) -- Political turmoil and controversy in the North Korean government has prompted one of its best European allies to effectively begin deporting visiting workers from the communist nation -- reportedly as a diplomatic move intended to push for change in Pyongyang in light of its oft-criticized human rights record.
Earlier this year, the Mediterranean nation of Malta denied visa extensions for about 20 North Korean laborers when their work permits expired -- shutting down their employment opportunities and practically forcing them to leave the country, the South Korean Yonhap News Agency reported Thursday.
Malta's visa refusals appear to be a response to a campaign spearheaded by South Korea and human rights groups that raised concerns about potential North Korean "slave" labor abroad, which some critics say is benefiting Pyongyang far more than it is the visiting workers.
Multiple news reports have claimed that North Korean laborers in Malta, and perhaps elsewhere abroad, are being systematically abused by Kim Jong-un's regime. The workers reportedly only keep about a third of their pay, and the rest goes to the North Korean government -- which may be used to fund projects like its nuclear program.
"The EU is likely to make sure its members are not being used as sources funding North Korea's weapons development," An Chan-il, head of the World Institute for North Korea Studies, said.
"It seemed that the Maltese government did not pay much attention to such exploitation of North Koreans until media outlets in Malta began to cover related stories and calls began to rise to take responsible measures," a South Korean official told the Korean Times Thursday on condition of anonymity.
Many of the affected workers returned to North Korea after their visas were denied, but a few have defected to South Korea.
"I heard some of the North Koreans sought to land jobs at other construction companies after our management did not renew their contracts," one Maltese executive told the Times. "They now plan to go back to Pyongyang after having difficulties in extending their work permits."
The North Korean flag flies over the North Korean embassy in Beijing, China. Thursday, news reports said the government of Malta declined to extend work visas for about 20 North Korean citizens earlier this year as a measure to push for change in the isolated communist nation amid human right concerns by South Korea and advocates. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
"I've heard one of the defectors called an acquaintance to say he has entered an education program that helps him get accustomed to life in the South," a Maltese resident said.
The Korean Unification Ministry said some North Korean defectors left Malta for South Korea last year, but none have followed suit this year.
Malta is also the first member of the European Union to begin deporting North Korean workers in response to recent human rights worries -- but experts say it probably won't be the last.
"There will be a domino effect in the region, given that Malta is one of the smallest nations in the EU but has taken an exemplary step for bigger neighbors to follow," An Chan-il said.
Poland has said it's already stopped hiring North Korean workers, a practice that endured in that country for years.
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