Civil society can be difficult to define – some view it as the space outside of the state and business interests, while others define it as voluntary activity towards a certain cause.

No matter the definition, North Korea is not exactly a bastion of civil society. The regime’s strict control on the population is well documented. While there is emerging evidence of growing non-legal activity, most notably private trade in markets, the DPRK continues to lack an organized civil society that is visible to the outside world.

There may be small pockets of North Koreans that organize clandestinely, but due