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More articles by 'Peter Ward'
Against the grain: How North Korean weapons sales could squash food markets
DPRK appears to be importing more grain and paying farmers more, undercutting markets with funds from sales to Russia
How Kim Jong Un’s first economic strategy illuminates his goals for Russia ties
Five-year plan for 2016-2020 called for massive increase in bilateral trade and offers insights into future focus areas
What North Korea’s inflated grain prices reveal about persistent food insecurity
Surging food prices have increased economic pressures on households, even as incomes have dropped since before pandemic
How North Korea could steal from China’s playbook to assert its maritime claims
Gray zone tactics ranging from air intrusions to cyberattacks enable DPRK to menace near border without firing a shot
Contested waters: Why the two Koreas still can’t agree on their maritime border
North Korea has disputed Northern Limit Line since 70s, and its ambiguous legal status could increase conflict risks
Why North Korea could embrace talks with US to stop the South from going nuclear
Pyongyang doesn’t want another nuke power across the border, and may even prefer a continued US presence on peninsula
Why banning North Koreans from working abroad may not be in their best interest
Laborers face difficult and unsafe conditions overseas, but many volunteer for chance to earn money and leave the DPRK
How North Korea tried and failed to reform its economy under each Kim ruler
Regime’s attitude to economic woes has evolved over years, hinting at what could inspire it to consider reform again
Why some countries welcome North Korean laborers despite the sanctions risks
States evaluate benefits of hosting DPRK workers differently depending on need for labor, costs of punishment and more
What North Korea stands to gain — and lose — by sending workers overseas
While the earning potential is lucrative for the regime, there are also many risks that come with exporting laborers