What is "jangmadang"

Jangmadang , , is a term usually used to refer to North Korean farmers' markets, local markets and black markets. Since the North Korean famine, they have formed a large informal economy. In recent years, the government has become more lenient on their existence, but however, merchants still face heavy regulations. Currently a majority of North Koreans are dependent on markets for their survival.

The North Korean government has tried to regulate growth of the market economy in North Korea with a variety of methods. Some of them such as regulating age of traders has caused some societal changes such as making women more responsible for earning money for their families. This has resulted in changing gender roles in North Korean society.

There have been speculations on the possible role of black market in causing reforms of North Korean government and economy, possibly in similar manner as in China.