North Korea: What is the Direction of Further Evolution

Occupation: Senior Researcher at the Center for Development and Modernization Studies
Affiliation: Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Problemy Dalnego Vostoka

Edition

Issue 4

Pages

53-65

Abstract

The article analyzes the changes that have occurred in the DPRK economy during the years of Kim Jong-un's rule. The article considers the significant shifts that have taken place in the direction of a market economy, both in industry and in agriculture. At the same time, it is noted that market innovations are officially presented under the guise of elements of self-financing and the further development of socialism. Not all of the functioning market schemes have received the appropriate legislative formalization and, thus, remain illegal, although they are widely used in practice.

Nevertheless, the country has been successfully developing for a number of years, demonstrating steady economic growth, a construction boom, the widespread introduction of information technologies, as well as significant progress in rocket science and the improvement of the nuclear arsenal. Numerous missile tests in 2017 led to a sharp aggravation of the situation on the peninsula, tightening of international sanctions, slowing down development and freezing further "reforms".

Kim Jong-un's attempts to find a way out of the current situation through initiating a negotiation process with the ROK and the United States undoubtedly contributed to reducing tension in the region, however, in general, they were not crowned with success. The course to create a self-sufficient economy with the appearance of the threat of COVID-19 was accomplished with a regime of severe self-isolation.

In conclusion, considerations are expressed regarding the ways of further development of North Korea. It is predicted that the role of the state will increase in the economic life of the country, which, after a series of successes and achievements, has found itself in the most difficult situation in the last twenty years.

Keywords

North Korea, Kim Jong-un, nuclear weapons, market reforms, unification of Korea

Received

25.02.2021

Publication date

20.08.2021

Number of characters

29566

Cite

GOST	Prozorovsky A. North Korea: What is the Direction of Further Evolution // Problemy Dalnego Vostoka – 2021. – Issue 4 C. 53-65 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://pdv.jes.su/S013128120016118-0-1 (circulation date: 23.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013128120016118-0
MLA	Prozorovsky, Anatoliy "North Korea: What is the Direction of Further Evolution." Problemy Dalnego Vostoka 4 (2021):53-65. DOI: 10.31857/S013128120016118-0
APA	Prozorovsky A. (2021). North Korea: What is the Direction of Further Evolution. Problemy Dalnego Vostoka (4), pp.53-65 DOI: 10.31857/S013128120016118-0

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