Abstract

Jangmadangs, or black market places, began appearing in North Korea following a famine in the 1990s. Jangmadangs quickly grew and became commonplace throughout North Korea; as time passed, these markets became vital for survival and an important way for information to spread informally throughout North Korea. This paper will look at the history of the creation of jangmadangs and their impact on North Korea, their impact on the lives of ordinary North Koreans, and how jangmadangs and the introduction of capitalism have fundamentally changed North Korean society. Furthermore, this paper will explore the conditions and policies that led to the rise of jangmadangs as well as the social, political, and economic impacts that jangmadangs and marketization have had on modern life in North Korea and what I believe that may mean for the future of North Korea and the Kim regime.