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