How foreigners laid the groundwork for North Korea’s market revolution



Columns How foreigners laid the groundwork for North Korea’s market revolution Early DPRK entrepreneurs leveraged connections in Japan and China, undercutting regime’s narratives of self-sufficiency Andrei Lankov May 1, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean woman selling ginseng in a shop, Sept. 2011 \| Image: NK News Despite its officially socialist orientation, North Korea is a country defined by thriving markets, and the private economy now predominantly satisfies the population's consumption needs. Of course, this was not always the case. It’s relatively well-known that the DPRK’s market revolution triumphed in the mid-1990s, as North Koreans facing the collapse of the state distribution system and widespread famine turned to markets for food and other necessities. Despite its officially socialist orientation, North Korea is a country defined by thriving markets, and the private economy now predominantly satisfies the population's consumption needs. Of course, this was not always the case. It’s relatively well-known that the DPRK’s market revolution triumphed in the mid-1990s, as North Koreans facing the collapse of the state distribution system and widespread famine turned to markets for food and other necessities. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Columns

How foreigners laid the groundwork for North Korea’s market revolution

Early DPRK entrepreneurs leveraged connections in Japan and China, undercutting regime’s narratives of self-sufficiency

Andrei Lankov May 1, 2023

How foreigners laid the groundwork for North Korea’s market revolution

North Korean woman selling ginseng in a shop, Sept. 2011 | Image: NK News

Despite its officially socialist orientation, North Korea is a country defined by thriving markets, and the private economy now predominantly satisfies the population's consumption needs.

Of course, this was not always the case. It’s relatively well-known that the DPRK’s market revolution triumphed in the mid-1990s, as North Koreans facing the collapse of the state distribution system and widespread famine turned to markets for food and other necessities.

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