Goods from North Korea are being traded freely in a thriving market that opened last week in Tumen, Jilin province, near the North Korean border. Marine products – frozen squid is a specialty – are prominently displayed.
The market opened on October 13 and appears to be the latest development in growing economic exchanges between Beijing and Pyongyang.
This follows a visit to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in August. Earlier this month, it was learned that Tumen is preparing to accept an influx of cheap labor from North Korea.
The market, which has a total space of about 10,000 square meters, is located on the banks of the Tumenjiang river, which serves as the common border between the two countries.
Asahi.com reports that currently the market is open twice a week, but there are plans for it to open daily in the near future.
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