North Korea Trade & Markets: Pork stays painfully expensive in North Korea, with Daily NK reporting prices around 158,000–159,000 won per kilogram in major cities as African swine fever continues to squeeze supply. Digital Economy: North Korea’s smartphone payments are spreading fast, with multiple e-wallet services used for everything from QR purchases and transport fares to bills, coupons, and even sports lottery tickets—showing both convenience and tighter control. Customs & Distribution: Even after imports are routed through officially licensed trading companies, individual traders still effectively run distribution after goods clear customs, using company “employee” registrations to keep operating. Border Controls: NK Times reports women leaving the country are being forced into strip searches and, in some cases, intimate inspections to prevent “state secrets” from being taken abroad. Security & Procurement: North Korea’s surreptitious hiring scheme to infiltrate U.S. companies is expanding beyond North Koreans to remote workers in places like Iran and Lebanon, according to U.S. and foreign agencies and researchers. Naval Hardware: A 90-year-old Soviet minesweeper, T-8 Chekan, was spotted alongside the new Kang Kon destroyer, underlining how Pyongyang mixes legacy platforms with newer blue-water ambitions. Diplomacy Context: Commentary argues a future Trump–Kim summit would likely focus on crisis management and status, not denuclearization “trades,” given Pyongyang’s deeper ties with Russia and China. Regional Flash: Yonhap reports North Korea fired an unidentified projectile toward the Sea of Japan.