North Korea has dramatically increased its cement imports from China since May 2026. A sweeping regional construction campaign has strained domestic production beyond its limits. Consequently, cement imports through Yalu River border crossings have risen noticeably since early April. A source in Jagang province confirmed these developments on Monday. The crossings connect Chinese border towns to key entry points in North Pyongan and Jagang provinces. Specifically, the Changdian Hekou crossing serves the Supung Dam area. Another crossing at Ji’an serves Manpo and Jasung regions. The Linjiang crossing connects to the Junggang area as well. All three routes have seen sharply higher inflows of Chinese construction materials.
These cement imports directly support Kim Jong Un’s signature 20×10 Regional Development Policy. The policy, launched at the Ninth WPK Congress in 2024, aims to build new factories, hospitals, service centers, and apartments. The plan targets 20 counties per year for ten consecutive years. As construction spreads nationwide, internal demand for cement has soared. Therefore, cement imports provide a necessary supplement to insufficient domestic supply. The mountainous terrain of Jagang province compounds the problem significantly. Transporting domestic cement from Sunchon or Sangwon complexes involves substantial freight costs. Those costs make domestically produced cement difficult to secure reliably.
Domestic cement already faces severe shortages across North Korea. The price climbs with each leg of the journey from production centers. Consequently, cement imports have become the more practical option for border areas. Quality concerns also drive the shift toward Chinese products. North Korean factories rush production to meet state output targets. This haste compromises the strength and reliability of domestic cement. Packaging and storage problems cause significant losses during transport as well. Chinese cement costs around 380 yuan or about $52 per metric ton. That price makes it more expensive than the North Korean alternative. Nevertheless, builders willingly pay the premium for better quality and packaging.
These cement imports help finish construction projects faster than using domestic materials. The preference for Chinese materials is especially strong on politically important projects. Showcase construction sites treat speedy completion as a higher priority than cost savings. Beyond cement, border crossings have also seen increased inflows of steel and excavation equipment. Local construction projects continue expanding across the country. Domestic materials simply cannot meet the growing demand. Since demand exists, cement imports and other construction materials will likely keep rising. The source expects this trend to continue for the foreseeable future.
Looking ahead, North Korea’s reliance on Chinese cement imports may deepen further. The 20×10 policy has many years remaining in its implementation timeline. Domestic production capacity cannot expand quickly enough to satisfy demand. Therefore, cement imports will remain a critical component of North Korea’s construction strategy. The regime appears willing to spend foreign currency on Chinese materials. This trade also benefits Chinese exporters near the border region. The increased cross-border flow may lead to other construction equipment imports. For now, cement imports solve an immediate bottleneck for North Korea’s ambitious building plans. Observers will monitor whether this reliance on China increases Pyongyang’s economic dependence. The regime prioritizes political achievements over self-sufficiency in construction materials.
