For those of us who want North Koreans to live happier, longer, and more fulfilling lives, Pak Pong Ju – at least based on what we know – may be one of our greatest hopes.

Pak is now 78 years old. He is one of six members of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK), the apex of power in the Party.

He is also the country’s premier and is credited with leading a process of quiet reform inside North Korea today. Those changes were first drawn up during his first term as premier