North Korea economy grew 3.5% in 2025, Seoul says

North Korea's economy grew 3.5 percent in 2025, South Korea's central bank estimated Friday, marking a third straight year of growth above three percent.

The Bank of Korea said North Korea's real gross domestic product expanded to 38.26 trillion won, or $26.6 billion, last year. The bank has published annual estimates of the North's economy since 1991, using its own intelligence and trade data because Pyongyang does not release official statistics.

A Bank of Korea official told AFP that expanded economic cooperation with Russia was a major driver of the growth. She said higher weapons exports to Russia boosted related manufacturing, while more Russian tourists and expanded transport links lifted construction and services.

The bank said North Korea's exports rose 30 percent last year to $470 million, driven by prepared feathers and wigs, as well as unspecified toys and sporting goods.

The Bank of Korea also estimated that North Korea's gross national income rose 9.4 percent to 48.5 trillion won, or $33.8 billion. It said that was less than two percent of South Korea's gross national income.

The Kyiv Independent quoted Ukraine's military intelligence agency as saying more than 7,000 North Korean troops were killed or wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region during the 2024-2025 campaign.

Ukrainian rights group Truth Hounds said Russia and North Korea were close to completing their first road bridge, citing its own investigation. The group said the bridge could become a route for moving North Korean troops, construction brigades and military officials into Russia, with Russian technology and resources moving in the opposite direction.