In the era of globalization and interdependence, the Kim Jong-il regime is making little effort to remedy its malfunctioning economic system and, rather, is focusing on protecting its regime security through the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. It will be difficult for the DPRK to escape its status as a fragile state so long as it sticks to its Military-First Politics (Songun Politics) and Military-First Economy. This essay is thus a policy proposal to the current and future ruling elites of North Korea for changes that would result in a series of incremental steps toward advancement.
EAI Asia Security Initiative Working Paper No. 8
