North Korean interest in Chinese consumer electronics remained high in September, despite continuing downward pressure on the country’s earnings from foreign trade, recent trade figures show.

Trade data released by China’s General Administration of Customs shows the DPRK’s inflowing trade revenues have plummeted in 2017, though the drop has yet to affect the North’s spending power.

The September data, compiled by the Korean International Trade Association (KITA), shows the DPRK continues to spend on relatively luxurious consumer electronics items like televisions.

North Korea spent over USD$40 million importing Chinese machinery