In this historically grounded, richly empirical study of social and economic transformation in North Korea since 1980, Hazel Smith evaluates North Korean society in the aftermath of the 'marketisation from below' that followed the devastating famine of the early 1990s, estimated to be the cause of around one million fatalities. Challenging preconceptions and the view of stagnation held by many outside observers, Smith argues that there have in fact been a number of significant political, economic and social developments since the period of famine and its tragic consequences. Divided into three parts, Smith charts the history of North Korea from the colonial period, through the Cold War to the present day, analysing developments and the country's relationship with neighbouring South Korea and the West. This accessible and informed account of North Korea offers students and scholars a fresh, insightful and broad-ranging overview of this troubled country today.