Ikea store appears in North Korea, but Swedish furniture giant denies involvement

pyongyang - An Ikea store has unexpectedly appeared in a shopping mall in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. However, the Swedish furniture giant claims to have no knowledge of it. The mall also features a 'Travel Store' with suitcases, sparking curiosity.

A video of the shopping mall in North Korea surfaced online, showing what appears to be an Ikea store. It was captured by a Chinese exchange student who shared it on social media, suggesting a propaganda effort to showcase the country as 'modern' to attract tourists.

Despite the resemblance, a spokesperson for Ikea clarified that there are no authorized Ikea sales points in North Korea. It is suspected that genuine Ikea furniture is being sold unlawfully in the country to affluent clients. Whether the famous meatballs are also available in the store remains unknown.

The Ikea spokesperson mentioned they would take action if necessary. The Ryugyong shopping center also hosts luxury brands such as Montblanc, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, all facing the issue of unauthorized resale. The footage also reveals stores like Adidas, Chanel, and Dior in the mall.