International trade

International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories, which could involve the activities of the government and individual. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product (GDP). While international trade has been present throughout much of history (see Uttarapatha, Silk Road, Amber Road, salt road), its economic, social, and political importance has been on the rise in recent centuries. It is the presupposition of international trade that a sufficient level of geopolitical peace and stability are prevailing in order to allow for the peaceful exchange of trade and commerce to take place between nations.

Trading globally gives consumers and countries the opportunity to be exposed to new markets and products. Almost every kind of product can be found on the international market: food, clothes, spare parts, oil, jewelry, wine, stocks, currencies and water. Services are also traded: tourism, banking, consulting and transportation. A product that is sold to the global market is an export, and a product that is bought from the global market is an import. Imports and exports are accounted for in a country's current account in the balance of payments.

Foreign Trade of the DPRK

Foreign Trade of the DPRK is a North Korean magazine. It covers North Korean companies that are looking to export their products and introduces their contact details. The magazine is affiliated with the North Korean Committee for the Promotion of International Trade and published quarterly by the Foreign Trade Publishing House of North Korea. The magazine is published in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

Companies and products

A 2011 South Korean analysis of the magazine's issues from a period of five years concluded that there are about 200 North Korean export companies in operation attempting to earn foreign currency. In reality, however, the number could be smaller since North Korean companies regularly change names in order to avoid sanctions.

Some companies offer to produce goods according to buyers' specifications. The magazine is known for promoting sometimes unusual products. For instance, in 2013, the magazine advertized unauthorized Sesame Street Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Elmo plush animals manufactured by the Kyonghung Trading Corporation. A 2015 issue promoted furs by the Taehung Fur Trading Corporation, despite there being no previous knowledge of North Korea's fur exports. The same issue also promoted a "cure-all" pill with vague descriptions of dosage and uncertain adherence to medicinal standards, likely aimed at the oriental medicine market in Asia.