North Korean cosmetics popular in China

Many might doubt the quality of “made in North Korea” products, but some Chinese seem to support them, according to Chinese media.

An report on North Korean cosmetics being popular among Chinese online shoppers was posted on a Chinese blog called Zhengzhidao July 15 and has since been shared by multiple Chinese news outlets.

The article introduced North Korean cosmetic lines Bomhyanggi and Unhasu, produced by the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory and Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, respectively.

In particular, Bomhyanggi, meaning spring scent, has been receiving media attention in North Korea and China after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Sinuiju factory on July 1.

Kim’s tour of factories in the border city of Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, has been seen as a preparatory step for North Korea-China economic cooperation.

Chinese state-run media have also been highlighting North Korean cosmetic products.

On July 2, China’s state-run newspaper Global Times reported on Chinese customers’ experience of using them.

The report said there were a dozen stores selling the Bomhyanggi cosmetic products on China’s e-commerce platform Taobao, before news of Kim’s visit to the cosmetics factory.

According to store owners’ comments cited by the newspaper, it was difficult to transport products from North Korea to China.

They said they were from border cities like Dandong in Liaoning Province and Yanbian in Jilin Province and they transported products with the help of North Korean residents.

One store owner told the newspaper that residents in Dandong were customers.

The price for the product is relatively inexpensive, the report said, with three 115-milliliter bottles being sold for 130 yuan ($19, or 21,350 won).

North Korean cosmetics are made from Kaesong Koryo Insam, Korean ginseng produced in Gaeseong, a specialty of the region.

China’s state-run media Xinhua News Agency on July 10 also reported on North Korea’s cosmetic products.

By Jung Da-min

(Korea Times)