North Korea/China: North Korea has ‘significantly’ increased imports of Chinese cement since the beginning of May 2026, as regional construction projects increase pressure on domestic supply ‘beyond its limits’, according to independent newspaper Daily NK. A source in Jagang province told the newspaper that cement shipments moving through border crossings along the Yalu River have risen since early April 2026. “There are so many construction projects right now that domestic cement output simply cannot keep up with demand,” the source said.
The crossings reportedly connect Chinese border towns to key entry points in North Korea: The Changdian Hekou crossing links to the area near Supung Dam in Sakju county, North Pyongan province; the Ji’an crossing serves the Manpo and Jasung areas of Jagang province; and the Linjiang crossing connects to the Junggang area, also in Jagang province. Imports of Chinese-made construction materials through all three crossings have risen ‘sharply’ in recent weeks. This increase is reportedly a direct result of Kim Jong Un’s ‘20x10 Regional Development Policy’, which called for the construction of new factories, hospitals and apartment buildings in 20 counties per year for 10 consecutive years. Border crossings in Jagang and North Pyongan provinces have risen due to shortages, transport costs and quality concerns linked to domestic cement production. Transporting cement from the Sunchon Cement Complex in South Pyongan province or the Sangwon Cement Complex in North Hwanghae province also involves ‘substantial’ freight costs that make domestically produced cement difficult to secure due to the mountainous terrain of Jagang province.
With the pressure to meet state-mandated output targets, North Korean cement plants have also reportedly been rushing production in ways that compromise quality, and Chinese cement has earned a reputation on building sites for its ‘superior’ strength and workability. The source said “Domestic cement often lacks strength, and there are significant losses during transport due to packaging and storage problems. Chinese cement costs a little more, but the quality and packaging are far better.”