North Korea has recently been importing various construction materials from China. It is known that construction materials that do not fall under sanctions against North Korea are imported through Dandong, which is subject to strict quarantine, while goods that fall under sanctions are imported through sea trade or land routes that are difficult for the general public to access.
According to Daily NK’s North Korea news source on the 28th, trade has been active recently, with more than 50 cargo trucks entering Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province from Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, per day.
It is said that Chinese cargo trucks transporting imported goods to North Korea are loaded with construction materials needed for interior and exterior construction of buildings, such as cement, latex paint, tiles, bricks, plastering tools, LED lighting, and water and sewage pipes.
The source claims that these construction materials are mainly used in the construction of residential homes in Sinuiju and Uiju, North Pyongan Province, where flood damage occurred.
Currently, a construction project to house 4,400 households is underway in Sinuiju and Uiju.
It is understood that the construction project is speeding up as Chairman Kim Jong-un personally toured the restoration project at the flood-damaged site at the end of last month and ordered, “Complete the construction of residential homes at the highest level within the shortest possible time.”
In relation to this, a source said, “Orders for construction materials from North Korean trading companies have increased significantly since early August.”
It is said that North Korean trade workers conduct price research through sites such as Temu, Ali, and Shein, which are Chinese low-cost product platforms, and then ask Chinese traders to obtain goods at the lowest price.
By purchasing goods through China’s low-cost product platform, North Korean trade workers’ purchase costs have been significantly reduced.
However, it is reported that customs clearance procedures for goods exported to North Korea are still quite strict at China’s Dandong Customs, and only construction materials that are not subject to sanctions against North Korea are being imported into North Korea through the Dandong-Sinuiju route.
The source said that Dandong Customs imposes a tax of up to 2,800 yuan (about 540,000 won) per 1㎥ box depending on the exported goods.
Because Chinese customs imposes such high tariffs, North Korean trading companies place goods that are subject to sanctions against North Korea or are expensive, preferably not from Dandong to Sinuiju, but from Hunchun, Jilin Province, to Wonwon-ri, Rason, North Hamgyong Province, or Changbai, Jilin Province. It is said that it is being brought in from Yanggang Province through the Hyesan route.
Currently, North Korea is rapidly progressing the construction of residential homes, including building a high-rise apartment building over 15 stories in Sinuiju just two months after the flood in late July. North Korea plans to complete the construction of homes in flood recovery areas as quickly as possible, so it is expected that imports of construction materials through Dandong and Sinuiju will continue to increase for the time being.
Source: www.dailynk.com
