North Korean smugglers along the Chinese border are importing spring clothing, footwear and school supplies through Chinese customs ahead of the April 1 semester start, driven by a seasonal surge in student demand, a source in Ryanggang province told Daily NK on Thursday.
Demand for student clothing and footwear rises sharply each mid-March as the spring semester nears, and smugglers concentrate on products likely to appeal to students.
“There’s a custom here (in North Korea) of buying new outfits and shoes for students when they start school or move up to the next grade. Regardless of their financial situation, most parents will make purchases for their children around this time,” the source said.
Because April weather remains chilly, jackets worn over school uniforms are in high demand. Shoe preferences differ by gender, with boys tending toward sneakers and girls favoring dressier options.
Imported apparel and footwear are currently on sale at stores and marketplaces throughout Hyesan, with a range of price points to suit different budgets. Clothing for elementary school students runs from 100 to 800 yuan ($14 to $110), while items for middle school, high school and university students range more widely, from 150 to 1,500 yuan ($21 to $207). The top-selling shoes fall in the 100–300 yuan range ($14 to $41).
Domestically made goods are also available, and North Korean authorities have been working since last year to improve both the output and quality of locally produced apparel and footwear. Consumer preference for imports remains strong, however.
“Locally made apparel and footwear are much better than they used to be both in terms of design and quality, but people’s attitudes haven’t changed much. Since local products don’t offer much of an advantage in terms of price or quality, many people prefer Chinese products,” the source said.
The pattern points to a disconnect between Pyongyang’s push to onshore production of consumer goods and what buyers actually want.
“Since North Koreans have depended on China for so long for nearly everything — from food to clothing — they still seek out Chinese goods despite the government’s best efforts to promote the local variety,” the source said.
School supplies flood North Hamgyong markets ahead of April term
School supplies make up a large share of goods moving through customs in North Hamgyong province as well.
“With April rolling around, writing implements and pencil cases are in high demand at marketplaces. Since affluent families are more likely to buy their children Chinese-made goods, students tend to assume that stuff made in China is better,” a source in the province said.
With smuggled school supplies available at wholesale prices, vendors specializing in such goods have seen stronger profits than in other months.
“The school supply stalls have definitely been getting a lot of traffic this month. Quite a few people have been buying their goods early because of the assumption that prices will go up as we get closer to April,” the source said.
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