Publication

This paper assesses regime stability in North Korea by examining how the web of state trading companies affiliated with the Korean Workers' Party (KWP), the Korean People's Army (KPA) and the Cabinet operates. The paper addresses six questions. First, what are DPRK state trading companies and how did they emerge? Second, how do DPRK state trading companies operate? Third, what roles do they play? Fourth, why are these companies important? Fifth, what major transformations are taking place in the DPRK state trading company system? Sixth, what are the implications of the manner in which this system is currently functioning?