Ian Jeffries is Honorary Professor in the Department of Economics at Swansea University. He is the author of other Guides to Economic and Political Developments in Vietnam, Mongolia and China, and co-author of A History of Eastern Europe (published by Routledge, now in its second edition).

This book provides full details of contemporary economic and political developments in North Korea since late 2005. Key topics covered include: the succession; family visits; human rights; nuclear capability and intentions; recent initiatives in international relations, and relations with the United States; and adverse economic and social conditions.

Introduction and key events Historical background Part I: Politics 1. The succession and other family matters. 2. Human rights. 3. Family exchanges and visits between North and South Korea. 4. North and South Korea: political prisoners, kidnappings and refugees. 5. Military aspects; size of the armed forces and number of nuclear weapons. 6. The George W. Bush administration. 7. US defectors. 8. Ethnic Koreans in Japan. 9. South Korea: key dates. 10. A chronology of political developments since 16 November 2005. Part II: The Economy 11. Economic reform. 12. Private economic activity. 13. Trade. 14. Aid. 15. Foreign direct investment (FDI). 16. Chinese investment in North Korea. 17. The cost of reunification. 18. Economic performance.