Disney characters dancing around on stage, women wearing pants and platform shoes; farmers (reportedly) allowed to keep and sell their product in private markets, a once powerful Vice Marshal removed from the ranks, and the right-hand man of the regime sent to China. In recent months, the signs that reform is afoot in North Korea have become so great that even the most jaded North Korea watcher must take notice. But while these changes may seem trivial while an estimated 200,000+ still languish in North Korean gulags, some hold real promise if the North Korean regime is actually serious about
Disney characters dancing around on stage, women wearing pants and platform shoes; farmers (reportedly) allowed to keep and sell their product in private markets, a once powerful Vice Marshal removed from the ranks, and the right-hand man of the regime sent to China. In recent months, the signs that reform is afoot in North Korea have become so great that even the most jaded North Korea watcher must take notice. But while these changes may seem trivial while an estimated 200,000+ still languish in North Korean gulags, some hold real promise if the North Korean regime is actually serious about reform.
Luke Herman is a regular writer at NK News and the Peterson Institute’s “Witness to Transformation” blog. He is a graduate of the UCSD School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS). Follow him on Twitter (@luke_herman)or email him your comments at[email protected].