North Korea’s wealth gap is reportedly widening, as luxury goods circulate among affluent border residents while ordinary citizens face growing extreme poverty.
Economic disparities in areas near the Chinese border have become more pronounced compared with the period before trade resumed, according to Daily NK on Friday.
In cities such as Hoeryong in North Hamgyong province and Hyesan in Ryanggang province, cross-border commerce through customs offices has increased, and the number of high-end luxury items brought in by ethnic Chinese traders has risen.
Among the goods now circulating openly inside North Korea are Chanel cosmetics and perfumes, which were once smuggled in small quantities as gifts for senior officials.
The outlet reported that members of the emerging wealthy class, commonly known as donju, are now purchasing global luxury brands themselves.
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