April 19, 2024

About the author

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'

A North Korean ministry returns from dead, and what it means for farming reform
NK PRO

A North Korean ministry returns from dead, and what it means for farming reform

DPRK revealed new policies that could incentivize farmers to boost crop output, while also reinforcing state control

A North Korean ministry returns from dead, and what it means for farming reform
Peter Ward
Peter Ward October 3, 2023
North Korea demands end to regional inequality, but offers mostly futile fixes
NK PRO

North Korea demands end to regional inequality, but offers mostly futile fixes

While new law shows state concerned about rural poverty, solutions rely on redistribution of resources that don’t exist

North Korea demands end to regional inequality, but offers mostly futile fixes
Peter Ward
Peter Ward September 12, 2023
How North Korea seeks to fix its stark problem of child malnutrition
NK PRO

How North Korea seeks to fix its stark problem of child malnutrition

Infant Care Act mandates food production for kids and building daycares, but in process creates new burdens for people

How North Korea seeks to fix its stark problem of child malnutrition
Peter Ward
Peter Ward August 28, 2023
A brewing storm: How North Korea has failed to prepare for extreme weather
NK PRO

A brewing storm: How North Korea has failed to prepare for extreme weather

Climate change is amplifying floods and droughts, but regime is unwilling or unable to invest in robust infrastructure

A brewing storm: How North Korea has failed to prepare for extreme weather
Peter Ward
Peter Ward August 23, 2023
A history of violence: North Korea seeks to curb assault with toothless new law
NK PRO

A history of violence: North Korea seeks to curb assault with toothless new law

Creation of anti-battery law points to widespread violence, but light penalties betray authorities’ lenient attitude

A history of violence: North Korea seeks to curb assault with toothless new law
Peter Ward
Peter Ward August 4, 2023
Why North Korea has reined in firms’ freedom to set their own prices
NK PRO

Why North Korea has reined in firms’ freedom to set their own prices

DPRK laws shine light on efforts to reassert control in key economic sectors, a move that could stifle innovation

Why North Korea has reined in firms’ freedom to set their own prices
Peter Ward
Peter Ward July 12, 2023
A war on words: Kim Jong Un’s Orwellian crackdown on talking like South Koreans
NK PRO

A war on words: Kim Jong Un’s Orwellian crackdown on talking like South Koreans

A new North Korean law polices intonation, jargon and more in futile effort to curtail ‘the puppet way of speaking’

A war on words: Kim Jong Un’s Orwellian crackdown on talking like South Koreans
Peter Ward
Peter Ward June 28, 2023
The other Korean demographic crisis: Unmasking North Korea’s population data
NK PRO

The other Korean demographic crisis: Unmasking North Korea’s population data

DPRK has likely fudged numbers since 90s famine, a finding that impacts assessments of military and economic strength

The other Korean demographic crisis: Unmasking North Korea’s population data
Peter Ward
Peter Ward June 23, 2023
One step forward, two back: North Korea’s confounding new financial reforms
NK PRO

One step forward, two back: North Korea’s confounding new financial reforms

Reports suggest regional banks have more power than ever, even as state reigns in market mechanisms on national level

One step forward, two back: North Korea’s confounding new financial reforms
Peter Ward
Peter Ward June 13, 2023
Poker face: North Korea tries new strategy in crackdown on ‘bluffing’ and lying
NK PRO

Poker face: North Korea tries new strategy in crackdown on ‘bluffing’ and lying

Penalties for poor performance and inability to fact check has made false reporting endemic, analysis of new law shows

Poker face: North Korea tries new strategy in crackdown on ‘bluffing’ and lying
Peter Ward
Peter Ward May 19, 2023
1 2 3 4 5 20