SEOUL — The livestock industry is receiving special emphasis under the Kim Jong Un regime, a researcher argued in a conference on Monday.

As the North Korean middle class’ income and standard of living have improved after two decades of marketization, the demand for meat has also increased, Korea Development Bank researcher Rhee Yoojin said at a conference hosted by Korea Development Bank.

Pyongyang also seeks to complement its insufficient food supply by increasing the supply of meat, which former leader Kim Jong Il also sought.

Rhee said the foundations of the state-run livestock industry took shape during the Kim