Fuel and Famine: Rural Energy Crisis in the DPRK

This article examines the origins and impacts of the DPRK’s rural energy crisis, and explores the technical and economic dimensions of international responses to the crisis. The rural energy crisis is actually multiple energy crises—distinct and separate shortfalls of solid and liquid fuels and electricity, each of which affects productive activities and living conditions in different and cross-cutting ways. Rural society appears to be a stable element within the DPRK, and may even be considered a backbone of the regime. However, if supplies of commercial energy to the rural sector were to fall well below the current 20- to 40-percent levels, or are maintained at very low levels for a very long period, the combined effects on living conditions and the environment could destabilize rural society. Improving the DPRK’s rural energy situation is feasible, desirable, and affordable from both humanitarian and geopolitical perspectives. To the extent that improved bilateral relations between the United States and the DPRK allow the process of rebuilding the DPRK’s infrastructure to begin, rural energy is a particularly appropriate and beneficial area of initial focus for donors and investors.