North Korean apples have reportedly made their way into the Russian market, signaling a broadening of ties between the two nations beyond military and political cooperation into more everyday sectors. This development, observed on Tuesday is seen by analysts as an attempt by both countries to challenge the effectiveness of international sanctions against North Korea.
The Financial Times reported on Sunday that North Korean apples have appeared on shelves in Russian supermarkets.
At the Remi supermarket in Khabarovsk, in Russia’s Far East, North Korean apples are being sold for 169 rubles (about 2 USD) per kilogram. The supplier is reportedly a North Korean company called Hwanggeumsan.
Furthermore, several North Korean companies producing various goods such as jam, sausages, beer, and accordions have recently registered trademarks with Russia’s Federal Service for Intellectual Property. Notably, the Taedonggang Beer Factory, known for North Korea’s flagship beer, registered its brand trademark in Russia last year.
These developments indicate a significant expansion in economic cooperation between North Korea and Russia, coming a year after Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Previously, North Korean products typically entered the Russian market through unofficial channels or via collaborations with Russian firms. North Korea has also traditionally focused on exporting labor to Russia as a means of earning foreign currency, rather than promoting its own products directly.
The strengthening of ties across various sectors appears to be a strategic move to undermine the international sanctions regime against North Korea. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is obligated to uphold sanctions against North Korea. However, its growing alignment with North Korea is eroding both the justification for and practical implementation of these sanctions. It’s worth noting that UN Security Council Resolution 2397 explicitly prohibits the import of North Korean food products and agricultural goods.
Despite these developments, many experts believe that even if North Korea and Russia expand their economic exchanges in defiance of sanctions, it’s unlikely to provide substantial economic benefits to North Korea.
Professor Park Won Gon from Ewha Womans University’s Department of North Korean Studies commented that what North Korea truly needs for economic development are markets and capital, which Russia cannot provide. He explained that the sale of apples alone is far from the level of economic cooperation needed to achieve Kim Jong Un’s stated goals.
Professor Park further added that even if Russia and North Korea manage to undermine sanctions, without China’s cooperation, the impact on North Korea’s economy will be limited.