The growth of markets is one of the most significant socioeconomic developments to occur in North Korea over the past two decades. While many understand that North Korea now has a thriving market system, the important role that the women of North Korea play is not as well known or appreciated.

The CSIS Korea Chair and the North Korea Freedom Coalition invite you to join us for a special event featuring expert discussions on markets and civil society in North Korea as well as a presentation of Beyond Parallel's mapping of 436 officially sanctioned markets across North Korea. The panel discussion will be followed by testimonies from North Korean escapees on the importance of women's roles and experiences in North Korea's markets.

2:00 PM | WELCOMING REMARKS
Mr. H. Andrew Schwartz, Chief Communications Officer, CSIS
Dr. Suzanne Scholte, Chair, North Korea Freedom Coalition

2:05 PM | SESSION I: Markets and Civil Society in North Korea
Ms. Amy Lehr, Director, Human Rights Initiative, CSIS 
Dr. Victor Cha, Senior Adviser and Korea Chair, CSIS; D.S. Song-KF Professor of Government, Georgetown University
Dr. Andrew Yeo, Associate Professor and Director of Asian Studies, The Catholic University of America
Ms. Olivia Enos, Policy Analyst, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation

2:55 PM | SESSION II: Women in the Markets
Dr. Suzanne Scholte, North Korea Freedom Coalition
Ms. Lee, Hyo-joo, North Korean Escapee with Experience as Wholesale Market Vendor and Diesel Oil Trader
Ms. Park, Ji-hye, North Korean Escapee with Experience as Rice and Corn Trader
Ms. Heo, Cho-hee, North Korean Escapee with Experience as Small Consumer Goods Trader
Ms. Kim, Ji-young, North Korean Escapee

4:00 PM | ADJOURNMENT

This event is made possible by the general support to CSIS.