Since Kim Jong-un took power, North Korea has greatly increased the opportunities for informal income generation, expansion of trade with China, and growth of manufacturing industries. As a result, it is known that most of the household income comes from the informal sector. The consumer goods market, service market, private finance market, and housing market expanded, and in the process, a labor market was formed and opportunities to obtain informal income expanded. The development of the market did not just increase ‘consumption’, but also increased ‘production’ and ‘income’ of individuals at the same time. It created various forms of earning money and jobs, and as the labor market became more flexible, various income classes appeared. Most North Korean households are getting out of absolute poverty and are increasing their income and assets based on their own economic activities. Therefore, the target and contents of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects that meet the North Korean people’s rising expectations are required, and micro-support policies that take into account the gaps caused by stratification are required. The core of future inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation should be planned and promoted from a long-term and macroscopic perspective, such as comprehensive development of North Korea’s underdeveloped regions and improvement of North Korea's human capital, beyond simple humanitarian aid.
Since Kim Jong-un took power, North Korea has greatly increased the opportunities for informal income generation, expansion of trade with China, and growth of manufacturing industries. As a result, it is known that most of the household income comes from the informal sector. The consumer goods market, service market, private finance market, and housing market expanded, and in the process, a labor market was formed and opportunities to obtain informal income expanded. The development of the market did not just increase ‘consumption’, but also increased ‘production’ and ‘income’ of individuals at the same time. It created various forms of earning money and jobs, and as the labor market became more flexible, various income classes appeared. Most North Korean households are getting out of absolute poverty and are increasing their income and assets based on their own economic activities. Therefore, the target and contents of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects that meet the North Korean people’s rising expectations are required, and micro-support policies that take into account the gaps caused by stratification are required. The core of future inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation should be planned and promoted from a long-term and macroscopic perspective, such as comprehensive development of North Korea’s underdeveloped regions and improvement of North Korea's human capital, beyond simple humanitarian aid.
Looking at the food situation in North Korea during the Kim Jong-un era, two characteristics can be found. First, food production increased on a small scale due to improved productivity. Second, the range of fluctuations in production is increasing due to natural disasters such as drought and flooding.
Although the North Korean authorities are doing their utmost to achieve self-sufficiency in food, they have not been able to solve the fundamental problem of agricultural sluggishness so far. This implies the need for agricultural assistance and cooperation with the international community. In preparation for the time when the COVID-19 pandemic situation subsides and North Korea shows a change in attitude, action plans should be prepared to increase North Korea's acceptance of agricultural exchange and cooperation, while enhancing effectiveness and improving sustainability.
Diet directly affects the nutritional status of individuals and groups, and nutritional status is an important determinant of health. Since differences in the dietary habits of North and South Koreans can lead to differences in nutritional status and even health status, continuous cooperation is required to provide adequate nutrition for North Koreans. As a result of an exploratory survey of North Korean refugees, the diet of North Koreans is improving, but a comparison of nutritional supply through data analysis of international organizations shows that North Korea's energy supply is only 65% of that of South Korea. In particular, North Korea's energy supply ratio is considered to be inappropriate because it is high in carbohydrates and low in fat and protein. In the future, food and nutrition assistance to North Korea needs to include more diverse food sources than grains. In particular, if support for the supply of animal food and the development of livestock and fisheries is provided, it is expected to have a positive effect on improving the nutritional status of North Koreans by helping them achieve a balanced diet.
With the social discussion on the necessity of enacting the 「Framework Act on Children」 as an opportunity, a re-examination of the legal definition of children at risk under the 「Child Welfare Act」 is necessary.
Under the 「Child Welfare Act」, children who experience crises in the process of growth and development are defined as “children who are eligible for protection” and “children who are eligible for support.” In particular, the problem of using the concept of a child subject to protection as a concept of “child currently receiving protection” and “child in need of protection” has been continuously raised.
As a result, there were limitations in evidence-based child protection policies due to the difficulties in understanding the actual conditions of children in blind spots in the child protective system. This paper proposed to simplify and clarify the definitions of children at risk. The basic principle of redefining children at risk is shifting the paradigm of conceptualizing children at risk from a provider-centered concept, such as “targeting” children to a child-centered classification, such as “children in need”. It is also needed to integrate the concepts of “protection” and “support” into “children in need” who need protection and support and to clearly redefine the children currently receiving in-home and out-of-home protection services as “Looked-after children”.
Until now, the follow-up management system that supports the transition to adulthood after out-of-home care has been operated differently by out-of-home care system and by local government, causing gaps and segments in protection and independent living support services, and has not provided practical help to youth aging out of the system. Accordingly, in July 2021, the government promised to expand the nationwide expansion of independent living support agencies and the deployment of dedicated personnel for follow-up management and is currently pursuing phased openings within 2022 according to the trial schedule through the preparation process of selecting institutions and staffing them. In the lead-up to the nationwide operation of the independent living support agency, this article discusses the need for life-cycle support and the role of the independent living support agency.
