April 19, 2024
Evergreen

Unofficial financial services emerging in North Korea: Experts

Experts say new 'money masters' leading to sudden economic change, but warn of investment risks

A new class of wealthy citizens are currently fueling changes within the North Korean economy, leading to the creation of unofficial financial services, an international panel of experts said today at a conference in Seoul.

Speaking at the “Doing Business in North Korea: Business and Finance in the DPRK” hosted by the Institute for Far Eastern Studies (IFES), the experts concluded that looser controls on private capital were creating a new class of rich North Koreans, called  donju (money masters).

Become a member for less than $4 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.