This study explained 'Military-First Polities' and 'Building of a Strong and Prosperous Country' a rising theme in recent studies on North Korea, focusing on North Korean materials, and introduced some principal related books. Reviewing recent studies relevant to the subject, it analyzed some points at issue. This research shows that a close examination of North Korean literature is essential. The starting point of North Korean Studies is a critical reading of the public documents of North Korea. Without this work, improvement in quality of studies cannot be expected in terms of subject as well as substance.
Another point is an insufficient review on existing studies. Although the relevant review study is a basic work, some theses conducted research without it and resulted in the same products as existing ones repeatedly. Grasping previous research fruits and problems through reviewing previous studies, a researcher can obtain results improved in quality, as a supplementary study to existing discussion or a new approach. Finally, it should be pointed out that in quotation of North Korean literature, some researchers use only materials right to their arguments. This phenomenon is partly from lack of critical reading of North Korean literature, as mentioned above.
From these points, the bibliographical introduction of North Korean literature and reviewing relevant research as this study performed is a significant work. The bibliographical introduction of North Korean materials and examination on research products should be continued, which would support improvement in quality on North Korean Studies.