North Korean trading companies have recently been importing large quantities of clothing from South Korea and other countries popular with North Korean consumers.
A source in North Pyongan province told Daily NK recently that North Korean trading companies operating in China are currently importing apparel by famous American and European brands such as Nike, Adidas, Lacoste and Le Coq Sportif.
“North Korean trading officials in China are buying thousands of items of name-brand clothing in each shipment. They’re looking for high-cost apparel with prices starting at 1,000 yuan (around $140) per item,” explained a source in China.
Daily NK reported recently that puffer coats from famous foreign brands smuggled into North Korea were a big hit with well-off customers.
However, apparel from famous foreign brands has to pass rigorous inspections by the customs authorities, and items that can be immediately identified as originating in unfavored countries are often confiscated.
As a result, several precautions must be taken by traders intending to import clothing from famous foreign brands. Traders must scrutinize products to ensure they do not display prominent logos that would give away the country of origin and that the labels do not contain any Korean words.
Since North Koreans are aware that Nike is an American brand, North Korean traders turn away any products on which Nike’s famous “swoosh” logo is clearly visible.
Even the affluent North Koreans who prefer clothing from famous foreign brands seek out products with no logos or logos too small to be noticed at a glance.
“As North Korea-China trade expands, North Korean imports of famous apparel brands continue to increase. The fact is that wealthy North Koreans are gradually seeking out more expensive and various kinds of clothing,” the China-based source said.
South Korean brands also popular
Notably, the apparel that is being imported into North Korea includes South Korean brands.
“Athletic outfits and cold-weather tops and bottoms with the logo of two pine trees are flying off the shelves,” said the source in North Pyongan province.
A pair of pine trees appears on the logo of Kolon Sport, a Korean apparel company.
While ordinary North Koreans are not aware that this is a South Korean brand, the kind of well-to-do people who wear name-brand clothing from overseas would recognize that logo as being from that country.
Clothing bearing the logo of Kolon Sport is very popular in North Korea, the source said, adding that “the items are well-received by North Koreans because they’re warm and lightweight and made with quality materials that are highly durable.”
