Overview
- South Korea’s Bank of Korea reported on Friday that North Korea’s real GDP expanded 3.5% in 2025, the third straight year above 3% and higher than its 2017 level.
- The BoK said gross national income rose 9.4% to 48.5 trillion won, with higher foreign-currency earnings linked to North Korean troop deployments and economic cooperation with Russia.
- Sector data from the BoK show mining and manufacturing made up about 30.1% of GDP, services 29.6%, and agriculture 21.2%, with construction growing 6.3% on public works and development projects.
- The BoK estimated exports rose roughly 30% to about US$470 million in 2025, led by unexpected categories such as prepared feathers, wigs and certain toys and sporting goods.
- The figures rely on the BoK’s indirect estimates because Pyongyang does not publish reliable statistics, and reports of new transport links with Russia and troop transfers raise concerns about sanctions evasion and regional security.