North Korea has ramped up attempts to increase the use of contactless electronic payments and e-commerce in the country, according to an NK News analysis of state media coverage over the past quarter. In addition to reports praising the convenience of ordering online, state media emphasized the increased hygiene of the new payment methods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the largest and oldest online shops in North Korea, “Manmulsang,” and the shop’s director Pak Hyon were highlighted in the March 2021 edition of the Korea Today magazine, released this week by the Foreign Language Publishing House.