North Korea’s markets — known as jangmadang (장마당) — emerged from the famine of the 1990s and have since become the backbone of the country’s informal economy. Daily NK tracks grain and rice prices, foreign currency exchange rates, government crackdowns on market activity, the rise of the donju merchant class, and the broader marketization of North Korean society. Our network of in-country sources provides some of the most detailed and timely reporting on North Korea’s markets available in English.
Tag: markets
Solar panels are changing N. Korea’s traditional wedding gifts
North Koreans increasingly use solar energy powered household appliances in their homes. Presenting brides with electric rice cookers, kettles or microwaves as wedding gifts...
North Korea Market Prices Update: November 15, 2019
All prices are in KPW and current as of November 15, 2019.
Data: Daily NK
South Korean 50,000 won bills all the rage in North Korea
An urban legend that claims owning a South Korean 50,000 bill will bring wealth has recently started circulating in North Korea. There are now...
North Korea Market Prices Update: November 1, 2019
All prices are in KPW and current as of November 1, 2019.
Data: Daily NK
North Korea sentences female drug boss to life in prison
The female leader of a drug smuggling ring and four of her subordinates were recently sentenced to harsh prison time as part of the...
North Korea levies “dog hide tax” on stay-at-home women
North Korea has broadened a “dog hide tax” to provincial chapters of North Korea's largest women's organization in what appears to be increasing efforts...
Pre-made kimchi is replacing home-made kimchi in North Korea
The spread of pre-made kimchi at local markets has led some North Korean families to make less kimchi than normal this year, Daily NK...
North Koreans throw increasingly lavish wedding celebrations
With the growth of the market economy and the middle class in North Korea, wedding expenses have risen dramatically in a short period of...
North Korean merchants cut down costs through video-chatting
Some North Korean merchants have started to use the video chatting feature on their smartphones to cut down on business travel costs, Daily NK...
North Korea’s coffee culture grows more mainstream
North Korean coffee has become more affordable and the country’s coffee culture appears to be growing more mainstream, Daily NK sources reported on Friday.
Coffee...
