March 28, 2024

Economy

Information related to the North Korea economic sector

North Korean IT workers impersonating Japanese nationals to secure jobs: Tokyo

North Korean IT workers impersonating Japanese nationals to secure jobs: Tokyo

Japan advisory echoes warnings that DPRK overseas laborers are earning millions to fund Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions

North Korean IT workers impersonating Japanese nationals to secure jobs: Tokyo
Shreyas Reddy
Shreyas Reddy March 26, 2024
North Korea breached oil import cap, smuggling up to 1.5M barrels: Report

North Korea breached oil import cap, smuggling up to 1.5M barrels: Report

55 countries tell UN that DPRK illegally imported oil at least 87 times last year, while China and Russia dispute claims

North Korea breached oil import cap, smuggling up to 1.5M barrels: Report
Anton Sokolin
Anton Sokolin March 22, 2024
North Korea still running COVID import center despite easing border controls
NK PRO

North Korea still running COVID import center despite easing border controls

Continued activity at pandemic-era facilities suggests authorities see political value in strong inspection regime

North Korea still running COVID import center despite easing border controls
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko March 22, 2024
North Korea relies on crypto theft for up to half of foreign income: UN report

North Korea relies on crypto theft for up to half of foreign income: UN report

Panel of Experts estimates DPRK cybercriminals have stolen $3B since 2017 to bankroll regime’s nuclear weapons

North Korea relies on crypto theft for up to half of foreign income: UN report
Shreyas Reddy
Shreyas Reddy March 21, 2024
North Korean wig exports hold strong despite overall decline in trade with China
NK PRO

North Korean wig exports hold strong despite overall decline in trade with China

Expert says slump in bilateral exchange in first two months of 2024 likely due to downturn in Chinese economy

North Korean wig exports hold strong despite overall decline in trade with China
Anton Sokolin
Anton Sokolin March 20, 2024
North Korea’s trade with China slumps in first two months on fall in imports

North Korea’s trade with China slumps in first two months on fall in imports

Overall trade falls from $257M in December to just $120M in February, but DPRK’s exports more than double on year

North Korea’s trade with China slumps in first two months on fall in imports
Anton Sokolin
Anton Sokolin March 19, 2024
North Korea opens massive greenhouse complex, but makes false claims about size
NK PRO

North Korea opens massive greenhouse complex, but makes false claims about size

Claims about bulldozing major military bases to build ‘world’s largest’ farm mislead public about project, NK Pro finds

North Korea opens massive greenhouse complex, but makes false claims about size
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko March 18, 2024
Why North Korea finally embraced 4G mobile networks, years after rest of world

Why North Korea finally embraced 4G mobile networks, years after rest of world

Experts say growing consumer demand likely drove change but that regime’s paranoia will ensure it remains a step behind

Why North Korea finally embraced 4G mobile networks, years after rest of world
Shreyas Reddy
Shreyas Reddy March 12, 2024
North Korea starts building factories in 13 more areas for rural development

North Korea starts building factories in 13 more areas for rural development

DPRK finishes breaking ground in 20 cities and counties, while hinting party will directly oversee 20x10 initiative

North Korea starts building factories in 13 more areas for rural development
Joon Ha Park
Joon Ha Park March 11, 2024
US court orders forfeiture of 145 crypto accounts tied to North Korea cybercrime

US court orders forfeiture of 145 crypto accounts tied to North Korea cybercrime

Washington alleges two Chinese nationals used accounts to launder some $100M in virtual assets stolen by DPRK

US court orders forfeiture of 145 crypto accounts tied to North Korea cybercrime
Anton Sokolin
Anton Sokolin March 8, 2024
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