North Korea's Imports from China Recover to Over $10 Million Last Month for the First Time in 6 Months

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Amid North Korea's continued border control due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, it has been revealed that North Korea's official imports from China last month recovered to the $10 million range for the first time in six months.

According to the website of China's customs authority, the General Administration of Customs, North Korea's imports from China last month amounted to $12.978 million (approximately 14.49 billion KRW), a significant increase from $3,000 (approximately 335,000 KRW) in February, when trade was virtually halted.

This statistic comes amid observations that North Korea has completed the construction of import cargo disinfection and storage facilities in Sinuiju and that cargo trains from China to North Korea are expected to enter soon through Dandong in Liaoning Province, China.

North Korea's imports from China sharply declined from $186.851 million (approximately 208.71 billion KRW) in January last year to $10.345 million (approximately 11.55 billion KRW) in February last year, when the impact of COVID-19 became serious.

As trade increased afterward, imports from China recovered to $87.679 million (approximately 97.93 billion KRW) by June last year. During this period, cargo trains and trucks traveling between Dandong and Sinuiju were occasionally observed.

However, after North Korea announced strengthened COVID-19 prevention measures, imports began to decline again from July last year, and train and vehicle traffic was cut off.

In particular, imports from China plummeted from $18.882 million (approximately 21.09 billion KRW) in September last year to $253,000 (approximately 280 million KRW) in October, falling below the $10 million mark. This year, imports were only $29,000 (approximately 3 million KRW) in January and $3,000 in February.

Meanwhile, North Korea's exports to China last month were $1.308 million (approximately 1.46 billion KRW), and the total trade volume, including imports and exports, was $14.285 million (approximately 15.95 billion KRW).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.