The Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair kicked off for the first time in six years this week, featuring products from not only North Korea but also Russia, China, Mongolia, Thailand and other countries.

But representatives of the foreign companies whose goods were on display were conspicuously absent from the event after DPRK authorities cancelled their visas at the last minute, with members of Pyongyang’s expat community the only foreigners who were able to join.

State media emphasized the importance of farming as the rice transplantation season began this week. The regime mobilizes citizens from