Inside Room 39 Secrets of North Korea s Elite: Exploring the Enigmatic Operations of North Korea's Hidden Financial Hub

Room 39, officially known as Bureau 39, is one of North Korea’s most mysterious and secretive organizations, often linked to the financial activities that support the country’s ruling elite. Established in the 1970s, Room 39 operates out of a nondescript office inside a government compound in Pyongyang and is believed to be directly controlled by the ruling Kim family. Its main function is to generate foreign currency reserves through both legal and illicit means, such as state-run businesses, trading companies, and alleged illicit activities including counterfeiting and smuggling.

The secrecy surrounding Room 39 is legendary. Very little has been revealed about its internal workings, but defectors and international investigators suggest it manages everything from luxury imports for the Kim family to the funding of the country’s nuclear program. Contrary to the widespread poverty seen in much of North Korea, the members of the inner circle are known to enjoy lavish lifestyles, with access to imported goods, private villas, and premium services.

Access to Room 39 is strictly controlled, with only the most trusted members of the regime allowed to participate in its operations. The “secrets” behind its success are a complex web of international front companies, shell corporations, and seemingly legitimate business ventures that mask its real activities. Experts believe Room 39 utilizes foreign banks, property investments, and a variety of trading activities across Asia and Europe to move money discreetly. Much of this wealth is believed to support not only the leadership’s personal luxury but also to maintain the extensive system of patronage that keeps the regime stable.

From a design perspective, the isolated and highly controlled environment provided by the North Korean regime extends even to the interiors where Room 39 might operate. Such spaces are likely to be both utilitarian and imposing, favoring privacy, surveillance capability, and an aura of authority. As an interior designer, I can’t help but imagine how secretive power is reflected in the choices of layout and furnishings — perhaps favoring layouts that allow for swift, silent movement and surveillance, discreet entryways, and spaces that prioritize security above comfort.

This intersection of secrecy, power, and space offers a fascinating lens for anyone interested in the concealed world of North Korea’s elite. If you’re curious about how secured environments can be created to protect privacy and facilitate complex operations—albeit in a much more ethical and transparent context—modern tools like a Room Planner can help visualize and organize multifunctional spaces tailored to unique needs.

Tips 1:

If you want your own space to exude an air of exclusivity or privacy, consider using partitioned layouts, soundproofing, and access-controlled zones. These features serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, supporting the careful balance between openness and confidentiality that many high-level operations require.

FAQ

Q: What is Room 39 in North Korea?

A: Room 39 is a secretive government bureau reputed to handle the financial activities that sustain North Korea’s ruling elite, including both legal and illicit operations.

Q: How does Room 39 generate revenue?

A: It reportedly manages state-owned companies, shell corporations, and illicit undertakings like counterfeiting and smuggling to generate much-needed foreign currency for the regime.

Q: Who runs Room 39?

A: Room 39 is believed to be directly controlled by the Kim family and a circle of trusted regime insiders.

Q: Why is Room 39 so secretive?

A: Being the financial lifeline of the regime, its activities are closely guarded to avoid international scrutiny and sanctions.

Q: Is there any way to see inside Room 39?

A: The true workings and interior of Room 39 remain a secret, but experts speculate that its offices prioritize both privacy and security in their design and layout.