Peter Ward | NK News
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January 09, 2025

About the author

Peter Ward

Peter Ward

Peter Ward is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute. His work focuses on North Korean politics, the economy and society. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Vienna.

More articles by 'Peter Ward'

Why North Koreans make the rational choice to accept state repression
NK PRO

Why North Koreans make the rational choice to accept state repression

The DPRK’s crackdown on foreign media can make ignorance the best option, but it also comes at high cost to the regime

Why North Koreans make the rational choice to accept state repression
Peter Ward
Peter Ward January 25, 2022
Kim Jong Un’s plenum speech displays striking lack of new economic ideas
NK PRO

Kim Jong Un’s plenum speech displays striking lack of new economic ideas

North Korea is prioritizing central control, rolling back reforms in ways that hurt markets and economic autonomy

Kim Jong Un’s plenum speech displays striking lack of new economic ideas
Peter Ward
Peter Ward January 1, 2022
In officially tax-free North Korea, where does the state get its money?
NK PRO

In officially tax-free North Korea, where does the state get its money?

The DPRK has multiple revenue sources, including taxes, that have both positive and negative impacts on the economy

In officially tax-free North Korea, where does the state get its money?
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 30, 2021
What the North Korean economy will look like over the next 10 years
NK PRO

What the North Korean economy will look like over the next 10 years

Kim Jong Un will likely continue rolling back tepid reforms, with potentially disastrous consequences for marketization

What the North Korean economy will look like over the next 10 years
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 23, 2021
How Kim Jong Un uses party committee memberships to manage Pyongyang’s elite
NK PRO

How Kim Jong Un uses party committee memberships to manage Pyongyang’s elite

Political and military elites in North Korea appear to rotate in and out of power much more frequently under Kim

How Kim Jong Un uses party committee memberships to manage Pyongyang’s elite
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 14, 2021
How has COVID-19 impacted North Korean market prices?
NK PRO

How has COVID-19 impacted North Korean market prices?

Foreign exchange, food and fuel all took different price swings during North Korea’s strict pandemic border controls

How has COVID-19 impacted North Korean market prices?
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 1, 2021
North Korea warily eyes the markets that now dominate food distribution
NK PRO

North Korea warily eyes the markets that now dominate food distribution

Recently revealed changes to the Food Administration Act suggest efforts to reassert state control over grain sales

North Korea warily eyes the markets that now dominate food distribution
Peter Ward
Peter Ward November 25, 2021
Cold hard cash? Currency coupons give North Korea options with money supply
NK PRO

Cold hard cash? Currency coupons give North Korea options with money supply

Inability to print cash likely behind coupons, but they also provide a safeguard for post-pandemic currency devaluation

Cold hard cash? Currency coupons give North Korea options with money supply
Peter Ward
Peter Ward November 10, 2021
North Korean coal: Sanctions and stranded assets
NK PRO

North Korean coal: Sanctions and stranded assets

DPRK coal mines will have trouble making the kinds of profits they did in the 2010s even if the country fully reopens

North Korean coal: Sanctions and stranded assets
Peter Ward
Peter Ward November 5, 2021
What a seven-part series tells us about North Korea’s economy under Kim Jong Un
NK PRO

What a seven-part series tells us about North Korea’s economy under Kim Jong Un

Choson Sinbo says North Korea need not reform or open up thanks to ‘precious strategic resources’ like nuclear weapons

What a seven-part series tells us about North Korea’s economy under Kim Jong Un
Peter Ward
Peter Ward October 29, 2021
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