North Korea’s Depleted Coffers Are Filling Up Again Thanks to Russia
An economic rebound means the regime can weather sanctions and continue its nuclear build-up.
People visit the statues of the late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on the 29th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's death, in Pyongyang on July 8.
Photographer: Kim Won Jin/AFP/Getty Images
Reports of new types of sugar in the local markets. Satellite imagery of trains crossing borders. Cargo ships with their transponders off. When assessing North Korea’s opaque economy, rather than hard statistics, it’s these sorts of indicators experts pore over.
And all are pointing to one conclusion: Kim Jong Un has found fresh ways to fill his depleted coffers. This money is enabling him to ignore financial incentives designed to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table, and press ahead with building his nuclear arsenal.