North Korea’s trade with China nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, increasing 25% on-year after ending on the strongest month for bilateral exchange since 2017.

The cumulative trade volume between the two countries reached $2.74 billion last year, data released by China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) shows, far exceeding the $2.2 billion and $2.3 billion recorded in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The figure also approached the $2.79 billion in trade during the last pre-pandemic year of 2019, underscoring a recovery after a multiyear slump during the pandemic due in large part to heightened border controls.

The surge in