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,...

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...

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...

Many agree that the economy of North Korea has changed under the Kim Jong-un regime, but there are often different interpretations as to whether these changes are in line with the continued transformation from the 1990s or they should be seen as a completely separate trend. And the way of...

A generalization and the widespread use of foreign currency in North Korea is called dollarization. Opinions are mixed over the backgrounds and the causes of the phenomenon, whether it is peculiar to the North, what it implies about the reality, and what effects it will have on the North's...

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...

Since the first provision of international food assistance in the mid-1990s, humanitarian aid to North Korea has been a constant source of scrutiny and debate. It was not only a major contributing factor to ending the devastating famine in the mid-to-late 1990s, but it has continuously helped...