A Japanese-Chinese low-cost retail brand store in Pyongyang continues to be running as usual, despite claims from its head office last week that the controversial store has closed, pictures obtained by NK News showed this week.

According to a notice put on the door in the Miniso shop, located in Kim Jong Un’s showcase Ryomyong Street development, the Pyongyang branch will be undergoing week-long renovation work from July 18 to July 26.

The notice says the Pyongyang branch will resume operations again from July 27, on North Korea’s “Victory Day”, the 64th anniversary of the armistice between the two Koreas.