Why North Korea depends on Chinapublished at 06:36 BST 8 June
Suranjana Tewari
Asia Business Correspondent
China is North Korea’s most important economic partner, accounting for the majority of the country’s official trade.That relationship has become even more important as North Korea faces heavy international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme.
Trade between the two countries remains strong this year. In the first two months of 2026, bilateral trade rose 22% compared with the same period in 2025.
North Korea gets most of its imports from China, including fuel, food, electronics, machinery, vehicles and textiles – giving Beijing significant influence over leader Kim Jong Un.
China is also an important gateway for North Korean exports. Many North Korean products reach overseas buyers through Chinese companies and ports.
Fake hair and wigs make up a large share of North Korea’s exports. Other exports include minerals such as tungsten, as well as frozen seafood, iron and steel products, and watch components.
The UN says North Korea also earns money by sending tens of thousands of workers overseas, particularly to China and Russia, to work in sectors including construction, logging, manufacturing and fishing.