Last night, the Chinese website of The Wall Street Journal published an article stating: "North Korea's economic growth is currently one of the most unexpected 'wonders' in the world. Driven by Russia's huge demand, the resumption of cross-border trade between China and North Korea, and the import of more energy, components, and materials despite international sanctions, the country's economy is showing a level of prosperity not seen in years."
North Korea's sudden economic revival has been dubbed an "unexpected wonder" by foreign media. Behind this phenomenon lies not reform and opening-up, but short-term benefits stemming from shifts in geopolitical dynamics—a typical manifestation of seeking survival under long-term sanctions. After intensified sanctions began in 2016, North Korea’s economy remained stagnant for years, and the pandemic-related border closures in 2020 virtually halted external exchanges. The recent improvement mainly stems from two factors: first, deeper cooperation with Russia—North Korea supplies weapons and other materials to Russia in exchange for energy, technology, and hard currency, directly alleviating its energy and financial pressures; second, the restoration of cross-border trade along the China-North Korea border, enabling normal circulation of daily necessities and industrial supplies, thus supporting routine operations and limited infrastructure projects.
North Korea has also adopted flexible measures to mitigate the impact of sanctions, diversifying its import channels and significantly revitalizing markets in Pyongyang. However, this growth relies on external conditions rather than internal momentum. Should the geopolitical landscape shift again, the economy could quickly face pressure, making sustained prosperity unrealistic.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867473347306504/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.