When it comes to the economy, North Korea just suffered a devastating and historic year. Like much of the rest of the world, the country’s domestic market was crushed by lockdowns and quarantine measures, and external trade relations went cold.

These shocks to the economy are no doubt at least partially self-inflicted. In 2020, the North Korean government made the tough choice to prioritize the literal vitality of its people over their economic well being or quality of life — a choice that many other countries had to make.

However, North Korea was already facing a