North Korea may overtake South Korea within about 20 years because its population is hungry, united and obedient while South Korea suffers inequality and a collapsing birth rate.
Timeframe within 20 yearsWindow 20.0 yearsSaid again 14×
Verdict Open
The deadline is 2044. As of 2026 South Korea's economy remains far larger than North Korea's, and the claim offers no clear measure of 'overtake'. No early sign that it is happening.
What he said
So it's possible that in 20 years, North Korea will overtake South Korea because its people are willing to work harder than the South Korean people.
No reports through October 2026 of South Korea paying North Korea under threat. The open-ended timeframe means this can't be resolved yet, and there are no early signs.