The availability of food and the growing problem of starvation was raised at the recent four-day meeting of the Workers Party of North Korea. In response, the Nation’s dictator, Kim Jong Un vowed to increase production of grains and other commodities.  He issued an ominous statement that “In order to attain the gigantic long-term objective of rural development it is necessary to decisively strengthen the party guidance over the agricultural sector and improve the rural party work.”  This approach is eerily reminiscent of Soviet-style collectivization in the 1930’s that led to famine and mass mortality.

If the hermit nation applied resources and personnel to improving the lifestyle of their people and joining in the world economy, they would be in a more favorable situation.  Investing in armaments and maintaining a nuclear program has not created greater security for the nation but it has contributed to the longevity of the three generation dynasty ruling North Korea including the eleven-year tenure of Kim Jong Un.

Agricultural efficiency in both Russia and China benefited from relaxation of central government control allowing initiative and free enterprise albeit in a limited manner with inefficiency and institutional corruption. Limited free-enterprise allowed these nations to be less reliant on imports and in the case of Russia to export wheat.  Strengthening central government control will only exacerbate the low productivity within North Korea and add to misery of its population and the eventual downfall of the regime.