Trade between North Korea and China has surged as cooperation between the two countries accelerates.
According to a report from the General Administration of Customs of China, the total trade volume between North Korea and China in the first half of this year reached $1.5069 billion, marking an approximate 20% increase compared to the previous year. This figure surpasses the levels seen before the pandemic in 2019.
Last year, trade between the two nations amounted to $2.73 billion, nearly recovering to the 2019 level of $2.79 billion. Approximately 92% of North Korea's trade is with China. In 2022, China's exports to North Korea were valued at $2.2 billion, while imports from North Korea totaled $500 million. Notably, 82% of the total trade volume last year consisted of China's exports to North Korea.
North Korea imports refined oil, fuel, petrochemical products, machinery, electrical equipment, automobiles, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, food, and consumer goods from China. This indicates that North Korea relies on China for essential intermediate goods needed for industrial production and daily necessities for its citizens. Additionally, North Korea exports wigs, shoes, seafood, and minerals to China.
The increase in trade is attributed to high-level exchanges between the two countries. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China in September last year for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Subsequently, President Xi visited Pyongyang for a two-day trip on June 8 and 9. During that visit, Xi emphasized that China would strengthen its development strategy ties with North Korea and expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, construction, science and technology, and healthcare. He also highlighted plans to enhance human exchanges through the full normalization of border areas and the resumption of international passenger train services.
There are also expectations that Chinese tourists will increasingly visit North Korea. On July 16, Wang Huning, a senior Chinese official and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area. Leading a Chinese delegation, Wang toured the area on July 17, accompanied by Jo Yong-won, a close aide to Kim Jong Un.
The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area is a key focus for North Korea's tourism development. Given Wang's visit, a significant influx of Chinese tourists to North Korea is anticipated.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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