Economics
Forget about the “Trustpolitik,” Let’s Talk Won
Trust can come in many forms, but in Korea there is a serious lack of it. According to Professor Jin Jingyi of Peking University, the key is to transit away from futile attempts to foster political trust, and onto an “economics-first,” or “trusteconomik” if you prefer, approach. Steven Denney explains.
A Primer on North Korea’s Economy: An Interview with Andrei Lankov
In the modern era of North Korean marketization, the scope and substance of the North Korean economy are hard to establish. Nevertheless, in this new interview with Peter Ward, Professor Andrei Lankov of Kookmin University does his best to describe the current state of affairs.
China’s Evolving Relationship with North Korea: Talks at IISS and RUSI, London
The Chinese Communist Party finds itself vexed by North Korea. Two Sino-NK analysts delve into Beijing’s policy choices in presentations at premiere London think tanks.
Reining in Rent-Seeking: How North Korea Can Survive
Peter Ward proposes that the North Korean regime can reconcile the seemingly contradictory concepts of “state rule” and “market economy” by reining in rent-seeking from low- and mid-level bureaucrats and harnessing the power of the markets.
Growth Prospects and the Potential for Progress in the DPRK’s Agricultural Sector: Infrastructure and Incentives
Matthew Bates completes his discussion with agronomist Tom Morrison on the prospects of food self-sufficiency in North Korea. In the final installment of a three part series, Morrison finishes his discussion of agricultural reforms and delves into a dialogue about the geography of rice and potato production.





