From January to April this year, North Korea's exports of tungsten concentrate to China surged more than 13 times from the same period last year. During the same period, tungsten concentrate overtook hair-related products such as wigs and false eyelashes to become North Korea's top export to China.
Tungsten concentrate is a raw material used to produce tungsten metal. With high strength and heat resistance, tungsten is considered a critical mineral used in advanced manufacturing, including the defense industry, aerospace, semiconductors and electronics.
Voice of America (VOA) analyzed this year's January–April import and export data from China's General Administration of Customs and reported the findings on the 11th. During this period, North Korea exported about 1,033 tons of tungsten concentrate to China, worth $75.17 million (about 114.7 billion won).
By month, exports in March were the largest at $32.57 million. April exports followed at $27.18 million. VOA noted that while the only month North Korea's tungsten concentrate exports topped $10 million had been $11.59 million in Aug. 2022, they surpassed $30 million and $20 million in March and April this year, respectively.
North Korea's tungsten concentrate exports rose sharply from previous years. From January to April last year, North Korea's tungsten concentrate exports to China were about $8 million. During the same period this year, the export value increased more than ninefold, and by volume it rose more than thirteenfold.
The ranking of North Korea's export items to China also changed. Through last year, North Korea's biggest export to China was hair-related products such as wigs and false eyelashes. However, from January to April this year, exports of hair-related products totaled $60.43 million, dropping to second place behind tungsten concentrate.
The United Nations (UN) Security Council, through North Korea sanctions resolutions 2371 and 2397 in 2017, banned exports of North Korea's major minerals such as coal, iron, iron ore and earth and stone. However, tungsten concentrate is not specifically listed as a prohibited export under the resolutions.
Accordingly, some analysts say North Korea may be boosting exports of minerals not covered by sanctions to earn foreign currency. There is also speculation that China, the world's largest producer of tungsten, is increasing imports of North Korean tungsten to supplement domestic supply as it tightens management of strategic minerals.