Russia-based North Korean garment companies are facing a substantial increase in orders from local clients, leading to a surge in production, but concerns about quality persist, reports Daily NK. Production at North Korean garment companies in Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk during the first quarter of this year doubled compared to the same period in 2022.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these companies had suspended their onsite operations and assigned small teams of workers to perform various odd jobs at construction sites and elsewhere. However, the recent flood of orders from Russian clients has kept the companies busier than ever.

Interestingly, Russian businesses, which previously ordered military clothing in large quantities, have shifted their focus to construction overalls and ordinary clothing. The manufacturing of military clothing is generally more profitable than producing clothing for the general public. However, workers at North Korean garment factories no longer possess the needlework skills necessary for high-quality military clothing, prompting Russian clients to commission work clothes for construction sites or clothing for everyday use instead.

While North Korean garment companies are striving to meet the demands of their Russian clients, the need to improve worker skills and ensure quality remains a pressing challenge.