Media: North Korea has become one of the most surprising economic success stories globally
According to The Wall Street Journal, citing analysts, North Korea's economic growth rate in recent years has reached its highest level in several years, making it one of the most surprising economic success stories worldwide.
The report states that due to trade with Russia and China, North Korea's economy is growing at a pace rarely seen in recent years.
The article points out that despite ongoing international sanctions, Pyongyang continues to demonstrate an expanded capacity to import energy, spare parts, and raw materials.
In particular, North Korea’s economy grew by 3.7% in 2024—the fastest growth rate in the country in nearly eight years.
Citing analysts, the report notes improvements in domestic conditions, including an increase in the number of vehicles and a significant rise in nighttime lighting. Currently, nighttime light intensity in North Korea is about three times what it was five years ago.
Moreover, a large-scale construction boom is underway across the country. In Pyongyang alone, 10,000 new residential units were built in 2025—more than the number of new homes constructed in either Los Angeles or Chicago during the same period.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867458870429708/
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