Strategy for Development of North Korea with Disruptive Technology

In this paper, we analyze developmental priorities in North Korea. Firstly, we investigate development plans of several transitional economies during the 1990s using the World Bank’s engagement reports. Countries of these economies are Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Development strategies in these countries emphasized construction and agriculture. Secondly, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), we analyze North Korea’s industrial developmental priorities among experts on North Korea and official development assistance (ODA). Our research shows high priorities for energy and agriculture. Both previous development strategies and AHP results show little interest in development of information and communication technology (ICT). However, the socioeconomic environment in North Korea is changing. ICT and service trade across the borders have been increasing. The population of North Korea is aging. Disruptive technologies based on ICT emerge from our analysis as effective tools to accelerate development. Lastly, we explore ICT as a new development strategy for North Korea. We recommend that ICT should be high among the development priorities of North Korea.