The North Korean Central Bank, long handicapped by ideological demands and Kim family loyalty above sound economic decision-making, appears to be well-positioned to claw back greater control over the domestic economy during the pandemic, even as it remains mostly cut off from foreign goods and currencies.

The primary reason is that Kim Jong Un’s decision to all but seal his country’s borders for almost two years has led to a dramatic drop in demand for foreign currency.

“What is most interesting regarding the North Korean won is how it has strengthened against the dollar — even in terms of official