North Korea was supposed to be broke and isolated. Now, it’s enjoying an unexpected economic boom.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, Bloomberg’s Cat Barton and host K. Oanh Ha unpack North Korea’s shift from pandemic-era hardship to a multibillion-dollar windfall, and discuss how the country’s newfound wealth is reshaping geopolitical alliances.

Read more: Kim Jong Un Flouted Sanctions to Amass $22 Billion Windfall

Further listening: North Korea’s Nuclear Program Reaches Tipping Point for the US

Watch, from Originals: Why Sanctions Aren’t Stopping North Korea

North Korea was supposed to be broke and isolated. Now, it&rsquo;s enjoying an unexpected economic boom.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia podcast, Bloomberg&rsquo;s Cat Barton and host K. Oanh Ha unpack North Korea&rsquo;s shift from pandemic-era hardship to a multibillion-dollar windfall, and discuss how the country&rsquo;s newfound wealth is reshaping geopolitical alliances.
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2026-north-korea-windfall/">Kim Jong Un Flouted Sanctions to Amass $22 Billion Windfall </a>Further listening: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/north-koreas-nuclear-program-reaches-tipping-point/id1746141911?i=1000764225881">North Korea&rsquo;s Nuclear Program Reaches Tipping Point for the US</a>
Watch, from Originals:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v30SRprmmLE">Why Sanctions Aren&rsquo;t Stopping North Korea</a>

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

Big Take

The Unexpected Rise of North Korea’s Economy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ee990b7d-fc02-4247-a086-b4aa01597704/transcript