North Korea's nuclear and missile programs: Foreign absorption and domestic innovation

North Korea's strategic weapons innovation system is exemplary of an authoritarian mobilization model. The top leadership prioritizes the program and mobilizes the country's science, technology, and heavy industrial resources around key programs. Key to success are investments in a defense industrial infrastructure that runs from basic research and development to applied R&D, product development, and linked production capability. Although foreign borrowing is important, the country's nuclear and missile programs would not have gelled in the absence of complementary domestic investments.

Automated summary

North Korea's strategic weapons innovation system serves as an exemplary authoritarian mobilization model. The program is prioritized and mobilizes the country's resources around key projects. Investments in defense industrial infrastructure, ranging from basic research to product development, are crucial to its success.