Kim Jong Un wants North Koreans to have more (state-sanctioned) fun
Summary
North Korea is expanding luxury malls, beach resorts, ski destinations and other state-run leisure venues as Kim Jong Un pushes citizens to spend more through official channels. The campaign aims to strengthen state control over commerce, boost domestic demand and reduce reliance on informal markets.
Key Points
- Kim Jong Un is promoting state-sanctioned leisure and retail networks to channel private wealth into the official economy.
- North Korea’s imports of luxury and amusement goods have surged, alongside new malls, resorts, waterparks and entertainment venues in Pyongyang and beyond.
- Analysts say the strategy helps the regime control commerce, squeeze informal markets and generate revenue despite U.N. sanctions.
- The consumption boom is partly funded by crypto theft, mineral exports and North Korean involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
