North Korea's Black Markets: A Critical Lifeline #northkorea

This video explores how black markets have become a crucial element of survival for millions of North Koreans, in a country that could be considered a time-capsule, perpetually stuck in the cold-war era. After the state's formation in 1948, all industries were seized and nationalized, and the state provided basic necessities such as food, clothing, and fuel. However, the ‘Arduous March’ famine hit North Korea in the 1990s, and the state was no longer able to feed its people, leading to the rise of black markets all over the country. Despite government interference and economic sanctions, these markets continue to provide an effective alternative to the failed state distribution system and are slowly changing the attitudes of North Koreans.