This web page is intended as a research resource for those who are gathering and publishing information on North Korea. The editor of this site does not personally comment on many of the topics, unless the subject is something with which he has some first-hand experience.
This site focuses on the North Korean economy (broadly defined), and does not dwell on foreign policy, human rights, military affairs, or defections. These topics are thoroughly covered in other forums. In a centrally-planned, highly-politicized economy like North Korea’s, it is difficult to separate political and economic analysis, but in such cases where separation is not possible, the editor’s comments will be expressed through the positive analysis of the Public Choice and New Institutional schools of economics.
If you agree or disagree with anything posted here, or simply have something to add that enriches other readers’ perspectives on any issue, please post your comments on the website. The only thing the editor asks is that you post something intelligent and respectful. Include citations to back up your claim(s) if possible.
Five years down the line, the editor hopes this web site will be a popular source for discussion, research, publication, and general sharing of analysis on the North Korean economy.
Finally, the editor extends an open invitation to scholars and business developers who specialize in North Korea to send any materials you wish to be posted on this site (many have already done so). This will save the editor time in finding your particular publication on line and will guarantee it is seen by the broader community of those interested in North Korean affairs.
Please send materials, questions, and comments to the editor at NKeconWatch-(at)- gmail.com.
About the Editor:
Curtis Melvin works in Arlington, Virginia, at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, an organization which carries out a significant amount of research on entrepreneurship and institutional analysis in the developing world with an eye to understanding the institutional prerequisites that promote sustainable prosperity.
Curtis has been interested in communist/socialist societies in general since he had the opportunity to visit the Soviet Union and several Warsaw Pact countries in his youth. When traveling around the world in 1996 he picked up a Lonely Planet North East Asia guide book and got his first exposure to the DPRK. In 2000 he began studying the country in earnest. Thanks to opportunities offered by the Korean Friendship Association, he was able to visit the DPRK in 2004 and 2005.
Curtis received his BBA in economics from the University of Georgia and MA in economics from George Mason University.
