Demand for designer goods procured by North Korean trade officials in Pyongyang has increased dramatically, suggesting a growing preference among the upper class for luxury clothing and accessories.
On Feb. 27, Daily NK spoke to a source who said trade officials in Pyongyang have recently been ordering luxury goods – including bags, clothes, and shoes – from their counterparts in China.
Pyongyang trade officials usually find pictures and prices of the goods they want on the Internet from inside North Korea and then request them from Chinese traders. Sometimes they give their counterparts only a price range and a brand and confirm the price after the Chinese trader finds a picture of an item that meets their request.
Trade officials appear to buy products that best embody both the tastes and financial power of the upper class.
“North Koreans, like South Koreans, prefer simple and high-quality styles and colors. In this way, they are different from the Chinese,” the source said. “I think this is due to the influence of South Korean dramas and movies.”
In particular, Pyongyang trade officials often request luxury clothing, including shoes, T-shirts, and sweaters from brands such as Gucci, Ferragamo, and Fendi. Items like these are expensive, often totaling RMB 5,000 to 6,000 (about USD 700 to 850).
In the case of bags, prices can be much higher, and requests often include a variety of styles from different brands, including tote bags, crossbody bags, and backpacks.
When Pyongyang trade officials place orders for luxury items or other miscellaneous goods, they request at least three or four items and as many as 100. The source explained that this is because it is relatively difficult to secure dozens of expensive bags at one time, so the trade officials request a small number and supplement the order with other products worth about RMB 5,000 each. In this way, they ensure that each transaction is worth millions of Chinese yuan.