Bitter pill: Authentic N. Korean health supplements losing market to Chinese counterfeits

In an ironic twist, fake North Korean health supplements manufactured in China are receiving better consumer reviews than genuine North Korean products, which are increasingly criticized for their diminishing effectiveness.

According to a source in China recently, “North Korean health supplements have long been distributed in Chinese markets as foreign currency earners, but counterfeit products labeled as North Korean are now being actively produced and sold, particularly in Dandong. Surprisingly, these Chinese-made counterfeits are being rated higher than authentic North Korean products in terms of both packaging and effectiveness.”

The source explained that genuine North Korean health supplements like “Angung Uhwang Hwan” and “Angung Sahyang” have already established a loyal customer base in China.

This popularity has spawned a market for counterfeit products that mimic North Korean branding. These fake products now have extensive distribution networks stretching from the capital Beijing to southern regions of China.

Chinese consumers are being told that these counterfeit products carrying North Korean labels are actually imported from North Korea, according to the source.

The popular “Angung Uhwang Hwan” supplement alone is being distributed under more than ten different producer names, including Koryo Chilbo Pharmaceutical, Korea Mangyongseokam Trading Company, Korea Mannyonbo Health Company, and Jongsung Pharmaceutical. However, the source clarified that most of these are actually Chinese-made counterfeits.

“These products appear to be North Korean on the surface, but they’re actually made in China,” the source said. “Since they’re reasonably priced and effective, they’ve become popular, and sellers continue to stock them despite knowing they aren’t genuine North Korean products.”

The source added that “authentic North Korean products imported to China receive many consumer complaints about their high prices and inferior effectiveness due to insufficient ingredients. Sellers find themselves in the absurd position of ‘receiving complaints when selling genuine products, while counterfeits generate positive word-of-mouth,’ leaving them with nothing to do but laugh bitterly.”

This has created a peculiar situation where genuine North Korean products are being overlooked while Chinese-made counterfeits are receiving better market reception.

“It’s common knowledge among those in the industry that many products sold as ‘North Korean’ are actually produced in China, but the steady demand has led to continuous expansion of the counterfeit market,” the source said. “The reality now is that sellers distribute more fake North Korean products than genuine ones.”