Three-panel satellite sequence showing Dudan Island in the Daedong River disappearing, 2012 to 2026

Satellite images show N. Korea dredging rivers on a massive scale

North Korea is carrying out large-scale sand and gravel extraction along its major rivers in 2026. Crews are deploying large dredgers and heavy equipment...
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...
imports, oil, corruption, shipyard

North Korean military officer executed for stealing reserve grain

A North Korean military officer arrested for embezzling state reserve grain meant for the armed forces was recently executed in public. A Daily NK source...
hamhung

Rising prices drive North Korean women toward prostitution

More women in parts of North Korea are turning to prostitution to survive amid worsening economic hardship. Police have tried posing as clients to...
cryptocurrency, cybercrime, north korea, dprk, cyber, operatives

North Korea busts elite hacking ring inside its own banks

A criminal ring hacked into the internal networks of North Korea's central bank and its main foreign trade bank. The ring used cryptocurrency to...
Boys swim and rest along a rocky riverbank on the Yalu River near Hyesan, Ryanggang province

No lifeguards as children swim rivers in North Korea’s summer heat

North Korean children are flocking to rivers and streams to cool off during the summer heat, even on rainy days. Almost no safety personnel...
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,...

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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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