Can North Korea's courtship with capitalism end in marriage?

A fast-food restaurant in North Korea

It is no longer a secret that, for some years now, North Koreans rely on thriving, person-to-person market exchanges in which individuals buy and sell private property for the purpose of generating profit. This has become so prevalent that it permeates all levels of society, from the poorest through to the Communist Party and military elites. However, few publicly admit to its existence.

The point is that most people in communist states know that communism is a failed ideology principally because it frowns on private enterprise and freedom. The idea is simply not normal or natural. If in doubt, ask the starving millions in Venezuela or the bemused citizens of Zimbabwe who rejoiced wildly at the fall of senile communist Robert Mugabe.

The irony is that the nations that inspired Zimbabwe and Venezuela, that is, Russia and China, have themselves, more or less, embraced private enterprise and love freedom even though they do not openly acknowledge it. It is well known that Russian oligarchs have flooded the West buying properties and other things. China now has more billionaires than Britain.

Perhaps it is this realisation that has led to free-market, capitalist reform in the world’s most uncompromisingly hardline communist state, North Korea. Traditionally, North Korean farmers, factory workers and bureaucrats surrendered everything they produced to the government, to be rewarded with fixed rations under the state distribution system. However, things have changed. Now, at the Pyongyang fish farm and other state-owned enterprises across the country, they are paid for what they do and no more.

The communists have always loathed the dog-eat-dog societies of the decadent capitalist world. However, citizens from communist countries still find something attractive in private enterprise and freedom. What the communists would not acknowledge, however, is that in Western societies, government agencies and the law courts are always there to address and redress issues of decadence, debauchery and other things.

It is therefore almost reassuring that under Kim Jong-un, who came to power in 2011, North Korea appears to be making its peace with market forces. The question is : Can the North Koreans go the whole hog?