China is the big brother who is holding the sky for N.Korea.
If N.Korea cannot reform under such favourable circumstances, then it is "doomed" economically. S.Korea, China and the rest of the world will keep advancing while it remains stuck behind the world
Don't forget that at the beginning N.Korea had a larger economy than S.Korea. Look at the situation now, and then make a prediction about its future based on the world entering the 4th Industrial Revolution.
That it is stagnating so much only proves that its political system is not working. Instead of learning from China it tries to do its own thing which predictably leads to failure
I don't know, maybe it doesn't care anymore because it knows China will always protect it. If that's their thinking then it is correct, as China is also comfortable in this role.
In the end this is a win-win. Win for China and Win for Kim. As for the N.Korean people, that's another story for another time
North Korea can’t reform with the sanctions still in place.