Economy
Information related to the North Korea economic sector
North Korea in May 2023: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from May 1, 2023 to May 31, 2023
June 2, 2023
North Korea imports new Chinese electric vehicles for self-branded showroom
Display of EVs from Chinese automaker BYD at upscale Pyongyang neighborhood points to likely UN sanctions violations
June 2, 2023
Secrecy surrounding North Korea’s upcoming plenum points to big changes afoot
State media did not disclose Politburo meeting to discuss plans for plenum, a sign of major leadership changes in past
May 30, 2023
North Korea opens ‘peculiar’ new apartments in capital after multiple delays
State media praises Kim Jong Un for pushing construction despite COVID difficulties, as DPRK maintains border controls
May 22, 2023
North Korea building secretive installation on razed airfield in Pyongyang
Buildings visible in satellite imagery and sensitive location near Kim mausoleum point to military or government purpose
May 16, 2023
Dandong dispatch: How COVID has reshaped the North Korea border region
Orwellian controls have made Chinese border provinces a less welcoming place for outsiders — especially DPRK defectors
North Korea rails against markets. But its policies show it can live with them.
DPRK authorities did little to curtail flourishing seafood trade for years, only to reverse course during the pandemic
May 12, 2023
Cybercrime funds half of North Korea’s missile program, US official says
Increase in US estimate from one-third may reflect rising costs as other finance sources dry up, expert tells NK News
May 11, 2023
North Korea illegally operating 10 factories at Kaesong complex, Seoul says
Unification ministry notes increasing activity at shuttered inter-Korean industrial park despite warnings against use
May 9, 2023
China building giant trade and tourism zone across from North Korean ‘holy’ city
Company overseeing project promotes trade in sanctioned goods as key draw of new border crossing
May 8, 2023
