The soccer game in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung stadium last Tuesday featured a large number of commercials by North Korean companies, implying an ongoing economic transition.

In North Korea’s match with Uzbekistan, a regional competition with implications for participation in the 2018 World Cup, there were various commercials from Rason Taehung Trade Company, Choson Kumgang Group, Kaesong Koryo Ginseng, Malgeun Achim (clear morning), Pyongyang Construction Material Factory and Ryunmot (pond) Trade Company.

Kaesong Koryo Ginseng and Choson Kumgang were the two companies with the most commercials.

“North Korea has tried to popularize the image of an open policy, and these