China is rebuilding its grip on North Korea — is Kim Jong-un ready to oblige? China’s exports to North Korea reached a six-year high of US$2.3 billion last year, a 25 percent annual increase. After a 15-year delay, North Korea spent most of last year working on the project before construction stalled in November. One said she was among a group of more than 10 workers who arrived from North Korea in December last year. “Before the pandemic, our trucks could freely enter North Korea’s interior to deliver or pick up goods,” said an owner of an eyelash manufacturer with a factory in North Korea.

Source: Taipei Times March 12, 2026 17:43 UTC