North Korea Earns Tens of Millions of Dollars Exporting Fake Eyelashes

North Korea earns tens of millions of dollars from exporting fake eyelashes. This is reported by Meduza-LIVE.

Due to sanctions, the country cannot legally sell minerals, seafood, and clothing, which previously brought in the most revenue. In 2023, North Korea exported 1,680 tons of wigs, fake mustaches, and eyelashes to China, earning approximately $167 million. This constitutes nearly 60% of North Korea's officially declared exports to China.

As a result of UN sanctions related to the development of nuclear weapons, North Korea has lost the ability to legally export minerals, seafood, and textiles—goods that previously generated the largest income. Wigs and false eyelashes are not subject to UN sanctions. These products are becoming increasingly important for North Korea, and they are also produced in labor camps within the country.