This analysis provides an overview of the most significant developments in the North Korean economy in September of this year. It surveys the state of affairs within the following areas: policy (domestic and international), trade, and market prices. Note: this analysis includes events up until early October.

As the harvest season intensifies through September and early October, it appears that North Korea’s agricultural yields for 2018 will be down. Market prices for several goods, moreover, increased significantly by the end of September and early October, perhaps an indication of general market distress. In inter-Korean relations, several symbolically important