Image differencing map showing nighttime light increases across downtown Sinuiju and Wihwa Island greenhouse farm

Behind Sinuiju’s brighter nights, a widening electricity divide

Electricity supply in Sinuiju, North Pyongan province, has improved somewhat in 2026 compared with last year. Neighborhoods near provincial and city party offices, the...
Side-by-side satellite comparison of the newly built Samsa and Sangdan train stations, showing their identical rectangular design and orange roofs

Satellite images reveal flooded rail line in Ryanggang province

I analyzed high-resolution satellite imagery of Paekam county, in North Korea's Ryanggang province, and found that a hydroelectric dam has flooded part of a...
Title page of North Korea's criminal procedure law showing its amendment history

North Korea revises criminal law, but old habits persist

North Korea's criminal law reform has moved through four revisions since 2021. Each one has added changes that look, on paper, like genuine gains...
Workers display freshly harvested greens inside a hydroponic greenhouse at the Sinuiju Comprehensive Greenhouse Farm, North Korea, Feb. 28, 2026.

North Korea’s greenhouse farms stand empty of skills and supplies

The newly completed Sinuiju Comprehensive Greenhouse Farm is struggling with operational problems stemming from shortages of essential farming materials, seeds and skilled facility-agriculture personnel,...
Cars lined up in North Korea's North Pyongan province.

North Korea vehicle smuggling stalls after fee hike

North Korea has restarted state-led smuggling along its border with China. But vehicle smugglers say a sudden fee hike has brought their business to...
North Korean fishing vessel

Chongjin fishermen struggle to secure fuel before squid season

Fishermen in Chongjin, North Hamgyong province, are struggling to secure fuel ahead of North Korea's squid fishing season, which begins in earnest in late...
Apartment buildings in Hyesan, the capital of Ryanggang province, North Korea, photographed in August 2018.

Smugglers in Hyesan take up Chinese lessons

North Korean smugglers in their 30s and 40s are rushing to learn Chinese in 2026. The trend is driven by a string of financial...
beer, pyongyang, bar

Homemade beer outsells state brands in North Korea

North Korea beer is losing out at home to homemade craft brews and Chinese imports. Even so, the country's state trading companies are pushing...

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North Korea Market Trends

Updated 26-07-05
Exchange Rate 1 USD → KPW
Pyongyang
60,000
Sinuiju
60,100
Hyesan
60,120
Full Exchange Rate Data →
Rice Prices KPW per kg
Pyongyang
31,200
Sinuiju
31,000
Hyesan
31,300
Full Rice Price Data →

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