Cosmopod An Arduous March: The Development of North Korea's Political Economy
Jan 8, 2026
Explore the complex political economy of North Korea, from its colonial roots to the Arduous March. Discover how geopolitical rivalries and internal factions shaped its unique self-reliance policy. The discussion dives into industrial mobilization methods like Chollima and TAYAN, alongside the challenges of balancing military priorities with consumer needs. The evolution of a dual economy emphasizes the emergence of markets amidst strict state control. Contemporary issues such as digital payments and provincial reform pressures highlight the ongoing transformation within the DPRK.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Colonial Legacies Shaped Economic Strategy
- Japanese colonial industrialization left the North with heavy industry but created dependent, extractive structures that shaped the DPRK's start.
- That history helps explain North Korea's persistent suspicion of foreign powers and emphasis on self-reliance.
TAYAN: Planning Plus Embedded Party Oversight
- The TAYAN system combined mass mobilization with centralized planning to get granular, reliable information from factories.
- It functioned as a distinct attempt to solve the economic information problem in a socialist setting.
Growth With Militarized Imbalance
- The DPRK's planned system delivered growth but remained heavily skewed toward heavy industry and military investment.
- That structural imbalance left consumer sectors underfunded and vulnerable when external supplies fell away.
