Can solar power solve North Korea's energy problems?

Jeong-hyeon, a North Korean escapee, told the Financial Times that many residents in Hamhung, the second-most populous city, “relied on a solar panel, a battery and a power generator to light their houses and power their television”. But solar power is still only a partial solution to the country’s energy woes.

What is North Korea doing about natural energy?

Since his speech, North Korean state media has published over 280 articles describing national advancements in harnessing natural energy including major universities, such as Kim Il Sung University and Kim Chaek University of Technology, developing solar energy generation systems comprised of domestic materials for industrial use.

Is North Korea pursuing energy-producing alternatives to sanctioned resources?

The pursuit of energy-producing alternatives to heavily sanctioned resources, such as coal and oil, has been a central focus of North Korean economic policy under Kim Jong Un since he assumed power in 2012.

Does North Korea have a two-tier energy system?

Under North Korea’s two-tier energy system, which prioritises industrial facilities, the only way for many citizens to access electricity is to pay state functionaries to allow them to install cables to siphon off power from local factories.