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More articles by 'Peter Ward'
Why a reported rise in North Korean wages won’t do much to improve welfare
Analysis suggests alleged plan to pay workers more fails to address underlying problems in convoluted wage system
November 28, 2024
What to make of the stunning collapse in value of North Korean won
Dramatic currency movements in DPRK raise concerns about financial crisis, likely due to state clampdown on use of forex
October 30, 2024
With 20×10 policy, Kim Jong Un seizes control of local development from regions
North Korea has abandoned bottom-up approach, but new top-down strategy is likely dependent on arms sales to Russia
September 18, 2024
Against the grain: How North Korean weapons sales could squash food markets
DPRK appears to be importing more grain and paying farmers more, undercutting markets with funds from sales to Russia
August 9, 2024
How Kim Jong Un’s first economic strategy illuminates his goals for Russia ties
Five-year plan for 2016-2020 called for massive increase in bilateral trade and offers insights into future focus areas
July 30, 2024
What North Korea’s inflated grain prices reveal about persistent food insecurity
Surging food prices have increased economic pressures on households, even as incomes have dropped since before pandemic
July 23, 2024
How North Korea could steal from China’s playbook to assert its maritime claims
Gray zone tactics ranging from air intrusions to cyberattacks enable DPRK to menace near border without firing a shot
July 9, 2024
Contested waters: Why the two Koreas still can’t agree on their maritime border
North Korea has disputed Northern Limit Line since 70s, and its ambiguous legal status could increase conflict risks
June 28, 2024
Why North Korea could embrace talks with US to stop the South from going nuclear
Pyongyang doesn’t want another nuke power across the border, and may even prefer a continued US presence on peninsula
June 7, 2024
Why banning North Koreans from working abroad may not be in their best interest
Laborers face difficult and unsafe conditions overseas, but many volunteer for chance to earn money and leave the DPRK
May 15, 2024
