Key North Korea factory shuts down from COVID-19 parts shortage

Border closing with China deals heavy economic blow to Pyongyang

20210207N North Korea China border bridge (Kyodo)

The China-North Korea Friendship Bridge is a vital trade link. North Korea closed the border in January 2020 as coronavirus cases rose in China. © Kyodo

YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei staff writer

February 8, 2021 01:07 JST

SEOUL -- One of North Korea's largest fertilizer plants has halted operations due to a lack of replacement parts, a trade group based in South Korea says, the latest sign of damage to the rogue state's economy from its border closure with China.

The Namhung Youth Chemical Complex, north of Pyongyang, produces fertilizer and coal gas using anthracite mined in the area. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the site in 2013.