N. Korea Offers to Settle Debt With ... Ginseng

Czechs turn down offer of root instead of cash, suggest zinc ore
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 13, 2010 6:14 AM CDT
N. Korea Offers to Settle Debts With...Ginseng
Ginseng root is widely believed to have curative powers, although the Czechs would prefer zinc ore.   (Getty Images)

The Czechs are pleased that North Korea is trying to settle a $10 million Cold War-era debt, but they're not so happy about the proposed terms. Pyongyang has offered to repay just 5% of the debt, and to pay in ginseng root instead of cash, the AP reports. North Korea's ginseng is of famously high quality, but Czech officials—noting that the quantity offered would be enough to last the country 200 years at its current rate of consumption—have suggested the country pay in zinc ore if cash isn't an option.
(More ginseng stories.)

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