Female Face of North Korean Capitalism

Recently North Korea has undergone a major if unappreciated social transformation. While the old facade of Juche socialism is still carefully maintained, the daily economy is now dominated by a multitude of private businesses. These businesses are largely run by women. Paradoxically enough, the old malecentered economic policy in the new situation has led to the marginalization of males. Unlike the case of many postsocialist countries, the arrival of market economy to North Korea has resulted in a significant improvement of females social standing.