According to US media reports, a large number of short videos have recently appeared on Chinese social media platforms featuring Chinese businesses selling North Korean products. Some of these goods may be produced in Chinese companies' factories inside North Korea. Together with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Pyongyang, these developments signal signs of restored relations between the two countries. However, this clearly violates the United Nations Security Council’s comprehensive sanctions which prohibit countries from "operating joint ventures or cooperative entities" in North Korea.
The New York Times reports that one short video promoting wigs claimed, "Whether it’s plush toys, false eyelashes, or crochet handbags, we have high production volumes and fast shipping. (North Korean) workers are cheap—some haven’t slept for 16 hours straight."
On Douyin and Xiaohongshu, at least 34 accounts can be found posting over 400 videos promoting North Korean-made products. Some accounts even claim to be operating factories within North Korea and publicly provide their contact information. However, when approached by the New York Times for verification, two accounts refused to comment, and the other 32 did not respond.
The Times also used satellite images and other online videos to verify the filming locations. One wig and false eyelash factory is located in the Rason Pioneers Economic Zone in northeastern North Korea.
These short videos have been viewed tens of thousands of times and emphasize that North Korea has large numbers of cheap, skilled workers, further mentioning that the "cost-performance ratio (C/P value) is quite good." Some videos also show North Korean workers undergoing militarized management, dining in collective cafeterias, and participating in various group activities—offering a rare glimpse into life inside North Korean factories.
According to Chinese customs data, from January to April this year, trade volume between China and North Korea approached US$1 billion (about 4.063 billion ringgit), a yearly increase of around 23%.
The report notes that North Korea is not entirely cut off by UN sanctions; companies can still export items such as wigs and tungsten ore as long as they are not run as joint ventures with foreign companies.
UN sanctions explicitly prohibit countries from buying textiles from North Korea, including "fabrics as well as partially or fully finished clothing products." However, many of the products shown in these Chinese short videos appear to violate the ban, including handmade woven bags and crocheted toys.