north korea shows creeping capitalist elements like private markets and a growing middle class, but recent crackdowns on these amid economic crisis suggest the shift isn't speeding up—it's facing more repression.

1. markets generate revenue but face intensified controls (the diplomat).

https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/north-koreas-economic-crisis-solutions-or-more-controls/

2. industrial plants planned, yet overall tightening (the economist).

https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2025/09/25/north-korea-is-becoming-even-more-repressive-and-threatening

on bitcoin holdings: estimates from hacks put nk at over 10,000 btc as of late 2023, but no confirmed recent figures—likely still substantial via cyber ops (coindesk).

https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/09/14/north-koreas-lazarus-group-has-stolen-370m-in-crypto-this-year-chainalysis/

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