Baekunsan General Food Factory’s condensed milk snacks, Samsok Fruit Processing Factory’s bottled food, Bongseonhwa Brand brassieres, and Jinju red ginseng water cream and whitening toner were among the products showcased by North Korean authorities at the “Joseon Products Exhibition” held in Vladivostok, Russia, from June 26 to 30.
While the event was intended to signal extensive North Korean-Russian cooperation in military and economic sectors, the limited range and somewhat crude quality of essential goods on display highlighted North Korea’s crippled manufacturing capabilities and ongoing economic woes due to prolonged sanctions.
The JoongAng Ilbo obtained numerous photos from the exhibition through Dongwan Kang, a professor at Dong-A University who studies the conditions of North Korean overseas dispatched workers in border areas. According to Professor Kang, visitors’ passports and IDs were meticulously checked to prevent South Koreans from entering the event. However, he managed to secure the photos with assistance from local sources.
This trade show was the first economic cooperation event held after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea on June 19 and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between the two countries. While initial photographs taken on June 26 by global media, such as Reuters, showed a bustling scene with many North Korean and Russian officials in attendance, later images from June 28 to 29 depicted a noticeably quieter atmosphere.
During the exhibition, North Korea presented products from around 70 domestic companies, including paintings, crafts, clothing, food, health products, musical instruments, and wigs. However, the majority of the items appeared to be basic necessities intended for distribution within North Korea rather than goods designed for actual international trade.
Specifically, the photos showed various snacks such as condensed milk, sesame and butter cookies, jellies, health foods including calcium cookies, longevity tea, and ginseng products, and various cosmetics like whitening serum and red ginseng water cream. Other items included women’s underwear like brassieres and panties.
“It was questionable whether Russian consumers, accustomed to major global brands, would purchase these products,” said Professor Kang.
Even the artwork, mother-of-pearl, and crafts, which North Korea regularly showcases at international exhibitions to earn foreign currency, were of a similar standard to previous offerings. Notably, some of the artwork on display was produced by the Mansudae Art Studio, which is subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions.
Other displayed items included robes, towels, and toothpaste aimed at local lodging facilities, as well as clothing from the “Dansang” brand made by the Mangyongdae Sportswear Factory, which outfits North Korean athletes for international competitions.
Reuters also reported the exhibition featured bizarre “ICBM merchandise” such as tubes modeled after the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) “Hwasong-18.”
The focus seemed to be more on establishing contacts with local traders rather than immediate sales. North Korean representatives were seen distributing brochures and business cards edited in Russian, trying to secure export routes, according to local sources.
“The variety of products was so limited and the overall presentation so shabby that calling it an exhibition seemed inappropriate,” said Professor Kang. “The quality and production standards of the various food and clothing items clearly reflect the dire state of North Korea’s economy.”
BY YEONGGYO CHUNG, YOOJUNG LEE [chung.yeonggyo@joongang.co.kr]
