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Sat, July 2, 2022 | 19:38
Economy
One out of 10 North Koreans using mobile phones
Posted : 2015-12-15 16:43
Updated : 2015-12-15 20:51
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By Yoon Ja-young

There are 2.8 million mobile phone users in North Korea, or 11.19 per 100 people, compared to the high penetration rate in South Korea where there are 115.5 per 100 people.

Statistics Korea released the report about North Korea, Tuesday, in which it compared the major statistical indices of the dynasty with those of South Korea.

It has been publishing statistics about North Korea every year since 1995.

As of 2014, the population of North Korea totaled 24.7 million, which is less than half of South Korea's 50.4 million. The gross national income (GNI) of North Korea stood at 34.2 trillion won, or $28.9 billion, as of 2014, which is one forth-fourth of South Korea's 1,496.6 trillion won.

The per capita GNI of North Korea recorded 1.4 million won, less than one-twentieth of the 29.7 million won of the South.

The gap between the two countries is expected to increase as the economic growth in North Korea stands at a mere 1 percent while South Korea achieved 3.3 percent growth.

Seoul and Pyongyang revealed greater disparity in gross annual trade. The North had only $7.6 billion in trade for 2014, while South Korea, one of the world's major trading countries, recorded $1.1 trillion in combined exports and imports.

North Korea produced 6.7 million tons of cement in 2014, which is one seventh of that produced by South Korea. The country produced 1.2 million tons of crude steel, which compares with South Korea's 71.5 million tons.

The electric power generating capacity of North Korea stood at 7.3 million kilowatts, which is one thirteenth of South Korea's 93.2 million kilowatts.

The country's rice production was 2.2 million tons, slightly over half of South Korea's 4.2 million ton production.

The disparity was also evident in infrastructure. North Korea's roads totaled 26,164 kilometers in length, which is one fourth of South Korea's 105,673 kilometers. South Korea has 13.9 million tons in vessels while North Korea has 710,000 tons of vessels.

North Korea seems to be suffering from the plunge in prices of global raw materials. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), North Korea's exports decreased 1.7 percent last year to $3.2 billion, as exports of minerals such as coal and iron ore plunged 17 percent on falling prices. An analysis by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) also showed that the country's iron ore exports to China dipped 70 percent to $60 million from January to October this year compared with the same period in 2014.

Emailyjy@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
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