Poor Kim ...

Hi,

I read this article with some skepticism.

If these boats are really for Nth Korea there are a number of ways of getting them built and delivered without having an Austrian Buisnessman whi may or may not have already been on the authorities radar pay 13m Euro in cash for them.

Here is on way I thought of:

The Nth Korean regime could have started via a third party and or forged ID a shelf company or bought a small one with trading history and used this to build the boats transferring the money through banks offshore a few times to cover the traces. Generating a cover for the incoming funds by the declaration of sale of fictitious artworks/non existent property etc.

The yachts could have been registered and then shipped to SE Asia within their non stop fuel range of Nth Korean Waters, they could have then just "strayed" into the waters and been "captured" Nth Korea could make all sorts of noise about spies and then quietly release the crews and retain the boats.

If the scam were worked properly the bogus owning company could also probably claim insurance for the loss.

This is a guy who starves his own citizens, tests nuclear weapons and shoots missiles over the heads of his South Korean and Japanese neighbors. I doubt a case of dental floss gets anywhere near his border without some intense scrutiny. On the up side I hear he may be needing a more spiritual vessel soon.

Some people just won't be missed.

This is where my sympathies lie. The Italian government is seemingly glad to potentially bankrupt one of its own businesses and put even more people out of work.

If the yard signed contracts with a third party, what obligation do they have to investigate that third party to make sure they're not a front for a nuclear-mad dictator?

I believe Uncle Fidel managed to get his Striker sportfish when it strayed into Cuban waters and impounded it for the 'people's use'.

Back in the late '80s, rumour had it that Phol Pot had 'liberated' a Swan sailboat and anyone getting it away would get 25c on the $1 for returning it. Probably rubbish bartalk but goes to show that most good dictators like a nice boat.

Always handy to have some good rigging to swing from when it all goes people-power.

It's the same if you're the one found with the conterfeit bill or the stollen tires you thought were legit. It always seems the little guy takes the fall. Your sympathies are well placed. Doubt the government is glad though. The world is struggling. It's just where the buck really stops. On the upside I doubt anyone will be returning deposits.

poor kim

The boats are Azimuts
The paid money is in on the bank account of the shipyard because Azimut has not done anything wrong and where not aware of the final destination.

I think that this deal was a good deal for the company and its employees specially in times like this ones.
rgds from italy
pumba

So Azimut sold a couple of yachts and got paid? And I'd assume the middleman got his money. Now the boats get to be sold a second time? Sounds like no sympathies needed.

Hi.

If this is the same one where the delivery crew who were on it when it was hijacked in International Warers by the Cambodians were then executed after they were taken ashore and tortured- It is under scrutiny now by the toothless investigation into Kyhmer Rouge activities 40 yrs ago.

Doubt the N. Korean people could be screwed any more that they'd notice. Zero from zero still amounts to zero. I'd be surprized if the middleman didn't take most of his cut off the top, but I won't lose sleep if he didn't.

The “great leader” dismisses the latest news as western propaganda, and states that his country already has great Yacht building expertise.