Countries / East Asia
Investing in North Korea
A centrally planned, state-controlled economy with no open public securities market and severe international sanctions restricting capital flows. It sits geographically inside Asia but outside every conventional investing framework.
- Capital
- Pyongyang
- Currency
- North Korean won
- Main exchange
- No functioning public stock exchange
- Regulator
- State-controlled economy — no independent securities regulator
How people invest in North Korea
There is no meaningful private investing infrastructure for ordinary citizens or foreign investors; informal markets (jangmadang) handle everyday trade in goods rather than financial assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What currency does North Korea use?
North Korea uses the North Korean won.
What is the main stock exchange in North Korea?
No functioning public stock exchange, overseen by the State-controlled economy — no independent securities regulator.
What do people in North Korea typically invest in?
There is no meaningful private investing infrastructure for ordinary citizens or foreign investors; informal markets (jangmadang) handle everyday trade in goods rather than financial assets.