China-North Korea trade tumbled 41% on-year in 2021, newly released customs data shows, marking one of the DPRK’s worst trade years on record as COVID-19 restrictions continued to hamstring the economy.
According to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), North Korea imported $35 million worth of goods from China in Dec. 2021, barely budging from Nov. 2021’s figure of $34.7 million.
Meanwhile, North Korea’s exports to China jumped from $6.6 to $15.7 million between November and December, reaching their highest level since North Korea mostly sealed its borders in early 2020.
Taken together, the latest figures bring the
China-North Korea trade tumbled 41% on-year in 2021, newly released customs data shows, marking one of the DPRK’s worst trade years on record as COVID-19 restrictions continued to hamstring the economy.
According to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), North Korea imported $35 million worth of goods from China in Dec. 2021, barely budging from Nov. 2021’s figure of $34.7 million.
Ethan Jewell is a Seoul-based correspondent for NK News focused on sanctions, trade and maritime issues. He previously worked as an investigations and intelligence specialist for Pinkerton Comprehensive Risk Management and as a research intern for the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies. Follow Ethan on Twitter @EthanJewell