Trader Control is increasingly shaping North Korea’s overseas commercial strategy as trade with China accelerates. Since the second half of 2025, state-directed trade volumes between North Korea and China have grown substantially. However, authorities have simultaneously tightened supervision over overseas traders responsible for managing exports and imports.
North Korean trading officials operating abroad report intensified surveillance of meetings, communications, and negotiation activities. As a result, traders say heightened oversight has reduced autonomy and slowed routine commercial decision-making. Officials in Pyongyang now closely review whom traders meet and what they discuss with foreign partners.
Moreover, central authorities increasingly rely on online research to dictate detailed import instructions from headquarters. Using internet price comparisons, officials determine product specifications and the lowest available supplier prices. Consequently, traders receive fixed directives, leaving little room for negotiation or independent supplier selection.
Previously, overseas representatives identified competitive suppliers locally and retained limited margins after reporting plans. Now, Pyongyang directly selects suppliers and orders traders to finalize contracts strictly at predetermined prices. Trader Control has therefore eliminated most opportunities for personal or corporate profit despite rising workloads.
Despite these constraints, state-led trade with China continues expanding in scale and product diversity. Traders report rising imports of electronics, industrial components, consumer goods, and complete computer systems. Authorities have also approved imports of Japanese and American-made products requiring explicit party authorization.
Meanwhile, trade with Russia has declined as Moscow’s manufacturing exports shrink amid prolonged military conflict. As a result, North Korean officials increasingly view China as their most reliable comprehensive trading partner. Many traders therefore expect bilateral trade with China to grow further this year.
However, traders warn that expanding trade without incentives is draining personal savings and operational capital. Several officials report using private funds to meet mandatory foreign currency earning targets. Trader Control also heightens anxiety surrounding ideological reviews when overseas traders return home.
Analysts note that centralized trade management prioritizes state revenue while discouraging initiative among experienced representatives. Looking ahead, traders hope authorities loosen restrictions and restore limited autonomy. Without reforms, overseas postings may lose effectiveness despite ambitious trade expansion goals.
