North Korea

shutterstock_739148065

The idea of doing business in North Korea might be relatively new to Western firms, but in fact, there are several existing cases of foreign businesses, mostly Chinese or Russian firms, doing just that.

Taking advantage of their governments’ strategic relationships with North Korea, many firms from China and Russia have been able to stake out a toehold in North Korea. Each firm must have a different plan and goal for doing business in North Korea, but they share one thing: Businesses are done in the form of a joint venture with the North Korean government (although there are some exceptions).

According to the university’s guidelines, there are three options for foreign companies looking to enter North Korea:

First, there are two types of joint ventures in North Korea. One is a set-up where a foreign firm and the North Korean government equally invest and have business control over a joint venture company. The two parties also equally share the profits.

In another type of joint venture, a foreign company and the North Korean government jointly invest, but the latter has control over the business. Although the North Korean government controls the business, the partner firm can participate in a joint management committee. In this case, profits or losses are shared by both parties, according to Kim Il Sung University.

The third business option is called a “foreign company.” This option allows foreign companies to own 100 percent of their business entity in North Korea. With this option, the foreign firm has full control of the business and the North Korean government has “no rights” to influence the management. Such companies are only allowed to be set up within special economic zones across the country.

Kim Il Sung University stressed that business opportunities are open to anyone, including corporations, individuals, and ethnic Koreans living outside the North, in order to expand exchange and cooperation with other countries.

There is reason to be skeptical, though. North Korea does not yet have a proper environment for foreign companies to invest in. For instance, North Korea lacks laws, systems, and rules for dispute settlement, insurance, wages, and remittances. Infrastructure — from roads, railroads, and telecommunications to the supply of electricity, gas, and water — is extremely poor. And there are no commercial banks or insurance companies because all financial and insurance systems are controlled by the state.

Share this page:

Signup to our GlobalBizz newsletter

Don't miss out on business benefits and receive our free newsletter.

* indicates required