The standard of living is dropping in North Korea and prices are rising as the country’s economy languishes due to a lack of imports, according to a report from the Seoul-based Korea International Trade Association (KITA). The main reason for the drop is North Korea’s self-imposed trade restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the country, the January report stated.

The country’s lockdown hit large parts of the economy, from market activity and the price of food to the production of fertilizer, the authors wrote. Seafood prices have increased to record levels