North Korea has identified science and technology as key drivers of economic development. Yet a recent revision to its laws raises a fundamental question: Can a country foster genuine innovation if it punishes officials for failing to deliver technological progress?

In September, details emerged of revisions to North Korea’s Law on the Introduction of Scientific and Technological Achievements. The revised law reportedly specifies criteria for selecting technologies for industrial application and allows penalties, including unpaid labor, for officials who fail to meet implementation targets or falsify performance reports. It also targets those who prepare technology adoption plans merely as a formality or apply unverified research findings in ways that cause problems in production.