Over the past three decades, North Korea has experienced a period of economic change, most notably in the development of the market. North Korea maintains that it operates a tightly controlled planned economy, the elements of which are poorly understood by the international community. Currently,...

Over the past three decades, North Korea has experienced a period of economic change, most notably in the development of the market. North Korea maintains that it operates a tightly controlled planned economy, the elements of which are poorly understood by the international community. Currently,...

The international community assumes that most of the profits from North Korea's mineral exports are diverted to the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) such as nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. This belief has led to the implementation of strong export sanctions since the...

"According to North Korea's 2008 census, about 88% of the population aged 20-59 are officially employed in socialist sectors. However, the actual share of the employed population who can afford a decent living is estimated at 31%-62%. As for North Korea's PPP-based per capita income-calculated...

For researchers who study the North Korean economy, one of the most unknown and interesting areas is North Korean statistics. There are many questions such as: Do statistics on the North Korean economy even exist? If not, how do overseas researchers conduct their studies? and If so, can we trust...

According to North Korea's 2008 census, about 88% of the population aged 20-59 are officially employed in socialist sectors. However, the actual share of the employed population who can afford a decent living is estimated at 31%-62%. As for North Korea's PPP-based per capita income-calculated...

For researchers who study the North Korean economy, one of the most unknown and interesting areas is North Korean statistics. There are many questions such as: Do statistics on the North Korean economy even exist? If not, how do overseas researchers conduct their studies? and If so, can we trust...

The basis for studying the North Korean economy is to gain an understanding of the size of the overall economy and the trends within it. However, owing to the fact that North Korea does not release data on its GDP and GNI, the task has fallen on the shoulders of outside researchers and such...

In the study of the North Korean economy, industrial and business activities still remain uncharted territory. They are the most basic components of an economy, yet the scarcity of information makes those in North Korea almost impossible to understand from the outside world. Today, the general...

One of the most important variables in the study of the North Korean economy is market prices and foreign exchange rates. This is because of the assumption that the two variables immediately reflect the status and trends of the North Korean economy. In fact, many North Korean economic studies...