China, Russia Ties Driving N. Korean Economic Recovery: Seoul

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives on a two-day visit at Pyongyang International Airport on April 9, 2026. Photo / KIM Won Jin / AFP
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives on a two-day visit at Pyongyang International Airport on April 9, 2026. North Korea's economy is showing signs of recovery as trade and diplomatic ties deepen with Russia and China. Photo / KIM Won Jin / AFP

North Korea’s economy is showing signs of recovery as Pyongyang deepens trade and diplomatic ties with Russia and China, South Korea’s unification ministry said in a report sent to AFP on Friday.

Rigid socialist planning and high military spending have undermined growth in North Korea for years, as have sweeping international sanctions aimed at scuppering its development of nuclear weapons.

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by Agence France-Presse

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