Health and Welfare Policy Forum 2021.8 No.298, pp.6-20
Abstract
The North Korean government is regarded to have chosen, in and after the 2000s, a dual economic structure, leaving the consumer goods sector such as the light industry and material distribution to the market, while still maintaining its direct control over the military and heavy industry sectors. Also, in line with its governance strategy for furnishing all people with a “civilized living” by “building a socialist economy,” the North Korean government has attempted to foster the light industry and modernize the health care sector. Accordingly, changes have been observed in the consumer life of North Koreans, including the diversification of clothing style, the emergence of clothing brand names, the increase in the use of home appliances and mobile phones, the expansion of transportation use, and the increase of recreational facilities for leisure use. However, the trend of marketization in North Korea has led to increased income inequality and in turn has made life difficult for the lower classes whose labor is being commercialized. Meanwhile, the upper classes have no culture of leisure and find themselves unable to find places to take rest. Considering this situation, inter-Korean bridging and cooperation for the future needs to be planned and promoted from a long-term and macro perspective, seeking the wide-ranging development of North Korea's underdeveloped regions and the improvement of North Korean human capital, beyond simple humanitarian aid.
