A Path Analysis of Political Institutionalization and Economic Policy under the Kim Jong-un Regime

Abstract

This study explores North Korea’s pathway to attain the goal of an economic powerhouse sustaining the party-centric politics and Kim Jong-un’s monolithic leadership system. The economic-nuclear parallel development policy strongly envisioned by the Kim Jong-un regime worked for political institutionalization and core national strategy in a transition period. The strategic priority of the policy was given to nuclearization although North Korea carried out economic measures including “Five-year Economic Development Strategy” to ameliorate people’s living. The plenary meeting of the central committee of the party revised the parallel policy on April 20, 2018. On the declaration of the accomplishment of nuclear arsenal, “All-out Concentration Policy for Economic Building” was suggested as a new national strategy. Confronting the economic sanction and the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea came forth with “Five-year Economic Development Plan” admitting the failure of the previous economic strategy. Nonetheless, the general situation is unfavorable to North Korea in spite of its strong drive to the new economic development plan. In the sake of soothing the current difficult situation and becoming a normal state, North Korea has to consider enhancing credibility with South Korea and improving relations with the United States.