NK is one of the least productive countries in the world at present. People are starving there.
Well, the thing which is more controvsal is that the fact its an isolated country, no info goes in or out.
You cant be sure wether what you say about it is true, and they dont seem to be very keen on releasing the actual info out as well.
So whatever we say, or whatever we think, are different from the reality on the ground.
Although I do agree the kim's party has not been very progressive for the region at all but the point is that its an isolated country in the end, from the inside and the outside.