On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, the Institute for Far Eastern Studies (IFES) of Kyungnam University hosted an international conference (online webinar) to explore the theme ‘Evaluation and Prospects on the Kim Jong Un Regime’s Economic Policy’. 

Session 1—moderated by Bong-hyeon Cho, Director at the IBK Economic Research Institute—was held under the title “Evaluations and Prospects on North Korea’s Economic Policy since the Kim Jong Un Regime.” Dr. Eul-Chul Lim (Professor, IFES) made a presentation on “North Korea’s Economic Policy in the Kim Jong Un Era: Achievements and Limitations,” while Nikolai I. Pereslavtsev (Researcher & Executive Editor of Asia-Pacific Journal of Marine Science & Education, ADM Nevelskoy Maritime State University) presented original analysis and assessments on developments in the DPRK following the 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).  Discussants Mark Kim (Visiting Research Fellow, IFES) and Sergey Smirnov (Program Coordinator, ADM Nevelskoy Maritime State University) provided discussion on the presentations.

Session 2—also moderated by Bong-hyeon Cho—explored the Russia-DPRK ties under the theme “Evaluations and Prospects on North Korea-Russia Economic Cooperation since the Kim Jong Un Regime.” Dr. Anastasiia Barannikova (Researcher, ADM Nevelskoy Maritime State University/former IFES visiting research fellow) made a presentation on the challenges and prospects of Russia-DPRK economic cooperation, while Dr. Young-sik Kim (Professor, Gangneung-Wonju National University) presented on Russia-DPRK economic cooperation in the context of Moscow’s Eastern policy. Discussants Jang-Ho Choi (Researcher, KIEP) and Marina Kukla (Professor, Far Eastern Federal University) provided comments on the presentations.

In his remarks at the conference, IFES director Kwan-Sei Lee said, “It is important to have these discussions with Russian scholars—who are known to be the most knowledgeable about the current economic situation in North Korea—so we may better grasp the thoughts and visions of North Korea’s leader, as well as the country’s policy directions and practices.” Director Lee also emphasized, “This conference will be an important opportunity to evaluate Kim Jong Un’s leadership and regime durability and to understand the direction of the regime’s future.”

*In accordance with COVID-19 prevention protocols, this interactive conference was conducted online through the IFES offices in Seoul, with limited on-site attendees and primarily remote participants.