North Korea in Transition: Prospects for Economic and Social Reform

Recent political developments on the Korean peninsula suggest both the possibility and desirability for the neighboring powers to establish a new framework for regional peace. The US and North Korea have managed to reach an agreement to reduce mutually hostile threats on a reciprocal basis, and to normalize diplomatic relations by removing economic sanctions.

They have thus created conditions potentially favorable for the expansion of trade and the inflow of economic assistance and foreign direct investment to North Korea. A crucial question, however, is will North Korea choose to transform its internal system and adopt an open-door policy in an effort to revive its stagnant economy?

The distinguished contributors to this volume address the central issue of the development potential of the North Korean economy and the potential compatibility of economic reform with the maintenance of internal political stability. They examine what will be needed in the way of reform for North Korea to build its social infrastructure and manage its industrial transition to become part of the global market economy.

Some possible lessons from the experiences of China's economic reform since 1979 and German reunification are drawn, and some sharp insights are provided into the economic forces that will play a major role in shaping the future course of North Korea. This timely book will be of great interest to policymakers, scholars, and students of Asian and transition economies.