business loans

Markets, not wages, feed North Korean households

"The official salary from my workplace is about 30,000 North Korean won a month. But feeding our family of four takes more than 800,000...
Hard-hatted miners in front of an inscribed stone monument at the 2.8 Jikdong Youth Coal Mine

What’s behind North Korea’s coal industry push?

North Korea held the second plenary session of the ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea from June 20 to 22. According...
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...
grasshopper market exchange rate grain

N. Korea rice prices hit record high as exchange rate climbs

Rice prices in North Korean markets have surged to a record high in July 2026. The spike follows a brief lull earlier this month,...
North Korean schoolchildren play piri flutes beside guitars laid out for a Kim Jong Un instrument donation

North Korean students resent piri in Kim Jong Un’s gift instruments

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave musical instruments to a lower secondary school in Ryanggang province last year. Now the school has assigned...
A welcome performance held at Pyongyang Gymnasium on June 8, 2026, marking Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to North Korea

China quietly eases customs rules for North Korea

China has temporarily eased customs rules for equipment and materials bound for North Korea's civilian economy. The move, which could reshape China-North Korea trade...
Supreme People's Assembly (SPA)

Purged military official’s graft case sparks outrage among North Koreans

North Korean people are calling for a sweeping investigation into corruption across the country's power organs. A senior military official's dramatic public downfall sparked...
law, trials

Wealthy North Korean youth hide old players to dodge crackdowns

Young North Koreans from wealthy families are deliberately buying old, worn-out video players instead of newer models. They can easily afford better devices. Instead,...

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North Korea Market Trends

Updated 26-07-19
Exchange Rate 1 USD → KPW
Pyongyang
65,000
Sinuiju
65,100
Hyesan
65,150
Full Exchange Rate Data →
Rice Prices KPW per kg
Pyongyang
40,000
Sinuiju
40,200
Hyesan
40,600
Full Rice Price Data →

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