April 29, 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'

Open for business? North Korea can learn a lot from Cuba’s economic reforms
NK PRO

Open for business? North Korea can learn a lot from Cuba’s economic reforms

North Korea has a similar history to Cuba, but has lagged behind since the collapse of European communism in the 1990s

Open for business? North Korea can learn a lot from Cuba’s economic reforms
Peter Ward
Peter Ward February 17, 2021
North Korea is fighting to take back control of its economy from the markets
NK PRO

North Korea is fighting to take back control of its economy from the markets

Kim Jong Un steered his country away from economic reform at the recent Eighth Party Congress and Second Plenary Meeting

North Korea is fighting to take back control of its economy from the markets
Peter Ward
Peter Ward February 16, 2021
So far, North Korea’s new economic plan is full of bad signs
NK PRO

So far, North Korea’s new economic plan is full of bad signs

State media shared vague details about Party Congress economic reforms that suggest more state control on DPRK markets

So far, North Korea’s new economic plan is full of bad signs
Peter Ward
Peter Ward January 11, 2021
After suffering major blows, North Korea will reluctantly lean on China in 2021
NK PRO

After suffering major blows, North Korea will reluctantly lean on China in 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have accelerated North Korea’s crackdown on market activities

After suffering major blows, North Korea will reluctantly lean on China in 2021
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 28, 2020
North Korea’s workforce and capital is growing, but the results are still dire
NK PRO

North Korea’s workforce and capital is growing, but the results are still dire

New economic numbers from the Bank of Korea suggest that much of the country’s capital stock has gone to waste

North Korea’s workforce and capital is growing, but the results are still dire
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 9, 2020
North Korea is on a crusade against drugs, crime and ‘capitalist culture’
NK PRO

North Korea is on a crusade against drugs, crime and ‘capitalist culture’

Recent events suggest that North Korea is trying to crack down on markets, foreign influence and "anti-socialist" acts

North Korea is on a crusade against drugs, crime and ‘capitalist culture’
Peter Ward
Peter Ward December 2, 2020
Kim Jong Un is more worried about a military coup than a people’s revolt
NK PRO

Kim Jong Un is more worried about a military coup than a people’s revolt

Over the past eight years, the North Korean leader has made several changes to protect himself from a hypothetical coup

Kim Jong Un is more worried about a military coup than a people’s revolt
Peter Ward
Peter Ward November 6, 2020
North Korea’s radically changed currency policy could destabilize the economy
NK PRO

North Korea’s radically changed currency policy could destabilize the economy

By all indications, the DPRK government is trying to limit the amount of North Korean Won in circulation

North Korea’s radically changed currency policy could destabilize the economy
Peter Ward
Peter Ward November 2, 2020
What the World Food Programme doesn’t know about North Korean agriculture
NK PRO

What the World Food Programme doesn’t know about North Korean agriculture

It's impossible to track North Korea's food production system perfectly, but the WFP is missing several key points

What the World Food Programme doesn’t know about North Korean agriculture
Peter Ward
Peter Ward October 19, 2020
What North Korea can do right now to stave off a full-blown economic crisis
NK PRO

What North Korea can do right now to stave off a full-blown economic crisis

Kim Jong Un is dealing with natural disasters, sanctions and COVID-19 — but there are some solutions to consider

What North Korea can do right now to stave off a full-blown economic crisis
Peter Ward
Peter Ward September 18, 2020
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