Kim Jong-un fortified North Korea: From pandemic crackdown to war‑driven economic surge

Kim Jong-un fortified North Korea amid global turmoil

In the wake of the pandemic, the leader tightened control, silencing dissent and reshaping the security apparatus. His next move exploited the shockwaves of Russia’s war in Ukraine, channeling raw materials and cheap energy to revive stagnating factories.

Economic lift from the Ukraine conflict

Data from Reuters indicate a ↑ 7% increase in export volumes of coal and minerals, a sector previously throttled by sanctions. Analysts warn that this surge masks deeper vulnerabilities.

“Kim’s strategy blends coercion with opportunistic trade,” notes a senior researcher at Bloomberg.

Dispatch from: Vance Sterling

Crisis & Global Conflict Director