In the Shadow of Jang Song-taek: Pyongyang’s Evolving Strategy with the Hwanggumpyeong and Wihua Islands

Despite sanctions and relative isolation from the global marketplace, North Korea appears to have increased its external trade volume by 7.8%, with much of that growth due to trade with China. But what role have developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along their border played? It often seems that the two countries have different – if not entirely divergent – goals for these projects, creating strains in the bilateral relationship. Tensions and uncertainties between China and North Korea could have also arisen from the purge of Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Jang Song-Taek. Jang was often seen to have close ties with China, with special reference to the jointly-managed Hwanggumpyeong and Wihwa Island SEZs.