This is part one of a multi-part series.

Much analysis of North Korea’s market system either focuses on its social ramifications or short-term price trends. Both of these issues are very important, and we will discuss them further in the future.

But an area that is not often covered when prices are discussed is how much North Koreans are paying for their food and fuel compared to what they might if the average North Korean household had access to import alternatives.

The trends are more mixed than you might expect. Analysis of