Radio Free Asia reported Thursday that the Polish government has asked provincial authorities to withhold issuing work permits to North Korean workers.
 
A spokesperson for Poland's Foreign Ministry told RFA that the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy had asked local governments to withhold decisions on work permits for North Korean laborers until the European Union issues a joint stance regarding UN Security Council Resolution 2371 sanctioning Pyongyang.
 
Poland is considered a leading European nation for hiring workers from the North.
 
The spokesperson also told RFA that the number of North Korean workers in Poland is believed to have dropped from 550 in July last year to 400 in January this year. The official said the Foreign Ministry has not issued work visas to North Korean workers since Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test early last year.
 
UNSC Resolution 2371 adopted last month bans countries from allowing in additional numbers of North Korean laborers.
 
Resolution 2375 adopted earlier this month also prohibits issuing new employment permits to currently hired North Korean workers. 

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