North Korea kicks off light industry expo showcasing new phones, LEGO knockoffs



State Media Review North Korea kicks off light industry expo showcasing new phones, LEGO knockoffs An in-depth analysis of Pyongyang product promotions, Kim’s letter to Xi, party congress propaganda and more Seung-Yeon Chung October 17, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Foreign delegations touring the exhibition \| Image: KCNA (Oct. 16, 2025) Tens of thousands of North Koreans along with foreign diplomats visited an expo of light industrial goods in Pyongyang this week, according to state media, perusing new smartphones, LEGO knockoffs and other products from local factories at the showcase designed to demonstrate the regime’s care for the people. Kim Jong Un sent a message to Xi Jinping after the Chinese leader offered congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. In his reply, he expressed gratitude for Beijing’s “special friendship and unwavering support” and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties. State Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Chinese authorities seize smuggled goods bound for North Korea: records 02Likely Russian ship docks in North Korea’s Rason port for first time since May 03Trump doesn’t need a grand deal with Kim, but rather small coordinated actions 04North Korean trade with China rises 3.7% in August thanks to wig exports: data 05North Korea tensions expose Seoul’s uneasy relationship with UN Command 06North Korea’s politburo meeting hints at secret changes to senior officials 07The bureaucracy test: Signs to look for before a Trump-Kim summit 08China has reasons to like Trump’s North Korea outreach — and reasons to worry

State Media Review

North Korea kicks off light industry expo showcasing new phones, LEGO knockoffs

An in-depth analysis of Pyongyang product promotions, Kim’s letter to Xi, party congress propaganda and more

Seung-Yeon Chung October 17, 2025

North Korea kicks off light industry expo showcasing new phones, LEGO knockoffs

Foreign delegations touring the exhibition | Image: KCNA (Oct. 16, 2025)

Tens of thousands of North Koreans along with foreign diplomats visited an expo of light industrial goods in Pyongyang this week, according to state media, perusing new smartphones, LEGO knockoffs and other products from local factories at the showcase designed to demonstrate the regime’s care for the people.

Kim Jong Un sent a message to Xi Jinping after the Chinese leader offered congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. In his reply, he expressed gratitude for Beijing’s “special friendship and unwavering support” and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties.

State

01Chinese authorities seize smuggled goods bound for North Korea: records
02Likely Russian ship docks in North Korea’s Rason port for first time since May
03Trump doesn’t need a grand deal with Kim, but rather small coordinated actions
04North Korean trade with China rises 3.7% in August thanks to wig exports: data
05North Korea tensions expose Seoul’s uneasy relationship with UN Command
06North Korea’s politburo meeting hints at secret changes to senior officials
07The bureaucracy test: Signs to look for before a Trump-Kim summit
08China has reasons to like Trump’s North Korea outreach — and reasons to worry

North Korea kicks off light industry expo showcasing new phones, LEGO knockoffs

LATEST ANALYSIS

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Seung-Yeon Chung