Editor’s note: This analysis is part of a three-part series on China-North Korea relations in 2020. See part one here and part two here.

North Korea and China are working to create cross-border business opportunities on a never-before-seen scale, building up new economic parks and customs facilities on both sides of the border in 2020, despite the shadow of economic sanctions and COVID-19.

NK Pro analysis of Chinese media and satellite imagery reveals the scope of construction and preparations across the entire length of the China-DPRK border. In total, the countries started expanding 12 of the 13 road