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Pyongyang Strikes Back: North Korean Policies of 2002–08
by Andrei Lankov

Lankov's analysis, published last month in Asia Policy 8, explains why the North Korean (aka DPRK) regime has attempted to reassert state control over society - which had been eroding from 1994–2002 - and offers predictions regarding the impact that this shift will likely have on North Korean society.

Main Argument

From 1994 to 2002 North Korean society changed tremendously: state-run industry collapsed, the rationing system ceased to function, and free-market activity, though still technically illegal or semi-legal, became most citizen’s major source of income. Although not initiated by the gov't, in 2002 some of these spontaneous changes won the belated and conditional approval of the regime.

The evidence emerging in the last three to four years demonstrates, however, that the North Korean government has chosen not to tolerate those changes. This policy of recrudescence, while economically self-destructive, makes political sense because the existence of an affluent and free South Korea makes North Korea far more insecure. The leadership in Pyeongyang has reason to believe that any domestic liberal reform in North Korea would lead to a regime collapse.

Policy Implications

- Pyeongyang’s decision to reject reformist policies is based on a rational and well-informed assessment of North Korea’s domestic and international situation. Therefore, the outside world can do very little to influence the regime’s position, and thus there is no chance of meaningful reform in North Korea in the foreseeable future as long as the current regime remains in power.

- Because the current policy makes sustainable economic growth impossible, the North Korean regime will need to rely on stratagems to secure vital foreign aid, with the U.S. being one of the main (but not only) targets of these maneuvers. The "North Korean problem" will remain a part of the international landscape in the foreseeable future.

- If the current attempt by the regime at counter-reform fails, this failure will create additional avenues for influencing the North Korean government from within.

The entire analysis (26-page paper, PDF file) you can download here!

Related article:

☞ Pyongyang turns back the clock (A. Times, 6.25)