A new North Korean soju product was recently available for purchase at a Pyongyang department store, photos obtained by NK News show, as economic difficulties due to COVID-19 have apparently not dampened output or demand for the ubiquitous Korean spirit.

The 30% strength blend, packed in a modern white and green gift presentation box, was visible earlier this spring on department store shelves alongside five other high-end soju products manufactured by North Korea’s Meari Foodstuff-processing Factory.

Regular visitors to North Korea told NK Newsthey hadn’t seen the soju product before, though state media records show at least some of