North Korea Resumes Cargo Transport with China... First Time Since COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] North Korea, which had closed its borders for about 15 months due to the impact of COVID-19, is showing signs of resuming trade as it has started cargo train services with China.

On the 23rd (local time), major foreign media reported that the border between North Korea and China is expected to reopen next month. According to sources from a Chinese transportation company, the bridge connecting Dandong, China, and Sinuiju, North Korea, has partially reopened, and cargo train operations are expected to be possible around April 1st.

Voice of America (VOA) reported on the 20th that a train carrying aid food left Dandong, China, heading to North Korea, citing anonymous sources.

According to NK Pro, a North Korea specialized media outlet, the volume of ship traffic between North Korea and China has recently been increasing, and satellite images suggest that quarantine facilities have likely been constructed near the airport close to the border.

North Korea closed its borders in January last year, immediately after COVID-19 cases first appeared in Wuhan, China. Despite UN sanctions, North Korea depends on China, its largest trading partner, for over 90% of its imports such as oil, fertilizer, and machinery parts.

China's exports to North Korea in March increased to $13 million, about 400 times the combined export value of January and February.

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