More evidence that KJE is embracing Dengist reforms
Friday, August 3, 2012 at 11:33AM 
The first line is key, because let's remember that this is a state that has - knowingly and systematically - starved its own rural population for many years, triggering what is arguably the most reprehensible experiment in mass malnutrition the world has seen since Mao murdered tens of millions with his Great Leap Forward:
To fend off starvation, North Korea will introduce bold agrarian reforms that will allow farmers to dispose of part of their harvests as they see fit.
The initiative was authorized by new leader Kim Jong Un, North Korean government and military sources said.
The planned reforms, the first in roughly 10 years, are intended to enhance yields and help mitigate chronic food shortages that plague the country.
The nation's ability to feed itself has fallen short by about 1 million tons a year.
But this year, a major drought has exacerbated the problem.
Under North Korea's system of collective labor in farming villages, harvests are collected by the state and redistributed to households according to their size.
The new system will allow farmers to do what they want with their harvests after they have handed over statutory amounts to the state.
This means they can consume the produce or sell it in markets, the sources said.
China introduced a similar "responsible production system" under its reform and door-opening policy that started in the late 1970s, whereupon yields increased rapidly.
North Korea has tried to follow China's model since the 1990s, but none of the reforms has taken root.
This is very good news, because it continues to suggest that Kim Jong Il's death has allowed a reformer son to emerge and finally manage what the crazy old man never could. HT to Chris Ridlon.
A DPRK set on the path of Dengist reforms will lower the temp in the region a bit, although its capacity for exciting anybody has now been completely surpassed by China's aggressive actions over its seabed claims.
Reader Comments (1)
The first sign of hope for Northkorea was already when it rewrote its constitution in 2009. The term "communism" was abolished in article 24 and 59 of the constitution.Northkorea already had a currency reform and a limited econonic reform back in the 2000s.The success was so overwhelming that the state bureaucrats stopped it. But it was the first time that Northkoreans experienced that economic reforms make life a lot easier and that you can become affleunt within a very limited time.Now being a nuclear power, the Songun ("Militray first"-policy) can be reformed.As it has a nuclear weapon, North Korea doesn´t have to spend so much on conventional weapon systems and troops.A Northkorea that is feeling militarilly strong enough, can make economic reforms.Hopefully we will see a development like in China or Vietnam in the next decade.Maybe sometiomes there will be patriotic debnates in the USA if the US prtesident is wearing undertrousers "Made in Northkorea" as we have now with the Olympic team of the USA if their uniforms were made in China.A Barack Obama or Mitt Romney in Northkorean undertrousers would be a hopeful sign for worldpeace!!! However: The question will be: Is the USA demanding the denuclearization of Northkorea or will it accept Northkorean nuclear power in return for North Korean economic reforms?