Economy
Information related to the North Korea economic sector
North Korean trade with China slumps to $227M in October as exports bottom out
Decline follows an uptick in bilateral exchange in September, which had appeared to point to improving ties
November 19, 2025
North Korea sees surge to at least 14 smartphone brands on back of Chinese tech
Analysis of trade fairs point to expanding domestic manufacturing but continued reliance on sanctioned Chinese services
November 19, 2025
Russia set to earmark $11M to search for oil off North Korea’s east coast
Initiative to explore deep-sea shelf aims to help DPRK address energy shortages and secure Russian access to deposits
November 18, 2025
North Koreans are buying cars like never before, straining Pyongyang’s limits
Relaxed rules appear to be driving an uptick in private car ownership, as a new wealthy class embraces Chinese imports
November 18, 2025
US, Ukrainian ‘facilitators’ plead guilty to helping North Koreans get IT jobs
Five individuals charged with wire fraud and identity theft, as Washington seeks $15M in crypto stolen by Pyongyang
November 17, 2025
North Korea embraces capitalist competition to avert mega resort boondoggle
Wonsan Kalma Tourism Zone Act, first law of its kind, details the regime’s strategy to ensure prestige project succeeds
November 12, 2025
Over a dozen Russian firms joined North Korea’s fall trade fair, down from 2024
NK Pro analysis shows Primorsky Krai companies led the way, joining participants from China, Mongolia and Switzerland
November 7, 2025
Kim Jong Un says army saved school supply factories after officials failed
North Korean leader inspects construction projects as part of plans to renovate schools, shifting blame for delays
November 5, 2025
US blacklists North Korean bankers accused of laundering cybercrime funds
Designation of 8 individuals and 2 entities follows report warning of DPRK crypto theft and IT worker schemes
November 5, 2025
How North Korea impacted the APEC summit from afar
The NK News team unpacks Trump’s visit to Korea, Lee Jae-myung’s diplomacy and how Pyongyang responded
November 4, 2025
