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Economy

Information related to the North Korea economic sector

How a small Chinese city exploded into a major port for North Korean trade
NK PRO

How a small Chinese city exploded into a major port for North Korean trade

150 companies in Dandong were behind around 25% of Chinese exports to North Korea in 2016 — roughly $750 million

How a small Chinese city exploded into a major port for North Korean trade
Min Chao Choy
Min Chao Choy September 4, 2020
Why North Korea may be on the brink of another deadly ‘Arduous March’ famine

Why North Korea may be on the brink of another deadly ‘Arduous March’ famine

Sanctions, flooding, COVID-19 and other 2020 conditions look eerily similar to what caused the devastating 1990s famine

Why North Korea may be on the brink of another deadly ‘Arduous March’ famine
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 4, 2020
Red wine and champagne, anyone? North Korea touts its domestically-made booze

Red wine and champagne, anyone? North Korea touts its domestically-made booze

Growing North Korean interest in domestically made wines could be linked to sanctions hurdles to foreign imports

Red wine and champagne, anyone? North Korea touts its domestically-made booze
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll September 4, 2020
North Korea’s top seaport eerily quiet after rumors of a closed trade route
NK PRO

North Korea’s top seaport eerily quiet after rumors of a closed trade route

August ship tracking data supports NGO reports that the Dalian-Nampho sea route was closed in late July

North Korea’s top seaport eerily quiet after rumors of a closed trade route
Min Chao Choy
Min Chao Choy September 3, 2020
North Korea in Aug. 2020: A month review and what’s ahead
NK PRO

North Korea in Aug. 2020: A month review and what’s ahead

An analytical look at the main developments from Aug. 1, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2020

North Korea in Aug. 2020: A month review and what’s ahead
NK Pro
NK Pro September 2, 2020
Accordions and fake beards: North Korean exports to China fall slightly in July
NK PRO

Accordions and fake beards: North Korean exports to China fall slightly in July

North Korea’s July exports shrunk compared to previous months, which marked a recovery after a steep COVID-19 crash

Accordions and fake beards: North Korean exports to China fall slightly in July
Min Chao Choy
Min Chao Choy August 31, 2020
Why 2020 is Kim Jong Un’s most challenging year yet
NK PRO

Why 2020 is Kim Jong Un’s most challenging year yet

Sanctions, border closures, COVID-19 and terrible weather are all snowballing into serious problems for the DPRK

Why 2020 is Kim Jong Un’s most challenging year yet
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll August 31, 2020
North Korean insurance company data quietly signals economic recovery
NK PRO

North Korean insurance company data quietly signals economic recovery

Data from five insurance firms all show big improvement to performance, with one even reversing a bad downturn

North Korean insurance company data quietly signals economic recovery
Martin Weiser
Martin Weiser August 28, 2020
North Korean hackers are turning emails into real-life ATM cash withdrawals

North Korean hackers are turning emails into real-life ATM cash withdrawals

Operation FastCash 2.0 may be combining North Korea-linked hackers and real-world gangs to collect money for the DPRK

North Korean hackers are turning emails into real-life ATM cash withdrawals
Min Chao Choy
Min Chao Choy August 27, 2020
Canned pineapple, chocolate and bus tires: July’s Chinese exports to North Korea
NK PRO

Canned pineapple, chocolate and bus tires: July’s Chinese exports to North Korea

The DPRK bought a more diverse range of items in July, meaning the country might be more confident about its food supply

Canned pineapple, chocolate and bus tires: July’s Chinese exports to North Korea
Min Chao Choy
Min Chao Choy August 26, 2020