Peter Ward | NK News
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September 25, 2026Sep 25, 2026

About the author

Peter Ward

Peter Ward

Peter Ward is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute. His work focuses on North Korean politics, the economy and society. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Vienna.

More articles by 'Peter Ward'

Why Kim Jong Un is paranoid about South Korean media in his country
NK PRO

Why Kim Jong Un is paranoid about South Korean media in his country

It makes sense that the DPRK leader would be nervous about the spread and consumption of foreign values and ideas

Why Kim Jong Un is paranoid about South Korean media in his country
Peter Ward
Peter Ward July 7, 2026
Why North Korea’s anti-unification policies are an admission of weakness
NK PRO

Why North Korea’s anti-unification policies are an admission of weakness

Pyongyang knows it lacks leverage and is vulnerable to outside cultural influence, but hostility gives it strength

Why North Korea’s anti-unification policies are an admission of weakness
Peter Ward
Peter Ward June 24, 2026
Why North Korea’s currency is hemorrhaging value at unprecedented levels
NK PRO

Why North Korea’s currency is hemorrhaging value at unprecedented levels

Exchange rate has soared on the back of trade rebound and wage hikes, potentially squeezing citizens with higher costs

Why North Korea’s currency is hemorrhaging value at unprecedented levels
Peter Ward
Peter Ward June 8, 2026
North Korea appears to have transformed the social contract with its people
NK PRO

North Korea appears to have transformed the social contract with its people

The constitution appears to have been revised to remove references to the country not having a tax

North Korea appears to have transformed the social contract with its people
Peter Ward
Peter Ward May 7, 2026
Why health insurance could be coming to North Korea
NK PRO

Why health insurance could be coming to North Korea

DPRK has long failed to fulfill promise of free medical care, but a system of premium payments may offer limited gains

Why health insurance could be coming to North Korea
Peter Ward
Peter Ward March 4, 2026
Regional development takes center stage in North Korea’s new economic plan
NK PRO

Regional development takes center stage in North Korea’s new economic plan

Kim Jong Un shifted focus from heavy industry and farming at Party Congress, while projecting nonchalance over sanctions

Regional development takes center stage in North Korea’s new economic plan
Peter Ward
Peter Ward February 27, 2026
How an emerging North Korean bond market could empower the masses to invest
NK PRO

How an emerging North Korean bond market could empower the masses to invest

Reported smartphone-based system may lower barriers to entry, but crackdowns on secondary trading risk reducing demand

How an emerging North Korean bond market could empower the masses to invest
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 1, 2025
North Korea embraces capitalist competition to avert mega resort boondoggle
NK PRO

North Korea embraces capitalist competition to avert mega resort boondoggle

Wonsan Kalma Tourism Zone Act, first law of its kind, details the regime’s strategy to ensure prestige project succeeds

North Korea embraces capitalist competition to avert mega resort boondoggle
Peter Ward
Peter Ward November 12, 2025
How North Korea will fight back against the South’s nuclear submarine plans
NK PRO

How North Korea will fight back against the South’s nuclear submarine plans

US approval aims to free up assets to counter China, but also escalates an inter-Korean naval arms race

How North Korea will fight back against the South’s nuclear submarine plans
Peter Ward
Peter Ward October 31, 2025
Working for the man: How North Korea exerts absolute control over laborers
NK PRO

Working for the man: How North Korea exerts absolute control over laborers

Text of new Labor Management Act reveals how authorities mobilize workers and keep them from flocking to markets

Working for the man: How North Korea exerts absolute control over laborers
Peter Ward
Peter Ward October 27, 2025
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