This article is the second in a series by Natalia Matveeva on North Korea’s early economic history. Read part one here.

In 1956, North Korea's three-year plan (1954-1956) for the reconstruction and development of the national economy was declared successfully fulfilled. Since the DPRK already had experience in carrying out one-and three-year plans, it was decided to try planning for a longer period and, like in the USSR, draw up a plan for five years.