There is actually a growing middle class - the Donju - earning money through the black market. They certainly have enough resources to (over)feed themselves - and buy expensive electronics.<p>As for the larger population, while most of the country still suffers from food shortages, starvation is not the problem it was in the 90s.<p>See for example: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;uk.reuters.com&#x2F;article&#x2F;2015&#x2F;06&#x2F;04&#x2F;uk-northkorea-change-consumption-idUKKBN0OJ2UY20150604" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;uk.reuters.com&#x2F;article&#x2F;2015&#x2F;06&#x2F;04&#x2F;uk-northkorea-chang...</a>