North Korea is reportedly producing and exporting products that blatantly copy international trademarks.
On North Korea’s official trade website, “Foreign Trade of the DPR Korea,” several products intended for export are showcased, including children’s clothing featuring the Hello Kitty character, owned by Japan’s Sanrio.
The website shows that the Hello Kitty product is manufactured by Songyo Knitting Wear Factory located in Pyongyang.
Additionally, women’s handbags bearing the Christian Dior logo are also showcased, although they are currently marketed under the name Uphasan.
These items highlight how North Korea is not only replicating foreign trademarks for domestic sales but also exporting these counterfeit products abroad, according to Radio Free Asia on August 27.
The “Foreign Trade of the DPR Korea” website lists a total of 1,813 products, including clothing, cosmetics, food, and machinery. A significant number of these items violate international sanctions against North Korea.
For instance, the export of North Korean electronics and machinery is prohibited under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397, which references the international Harmonized System (HS) code 85. Similarly, textile products, a key export of North Korea, are banned under Resolution 2375.
Despite these restrictions, North Korea appears to be increasingly focused on generating foreign currency by even resorting to trademark infringement.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
