What next for North Korea? Not long ago observers thought the new leader, Kim Jong Un, might prove a moderniser. Lately Mr Kim has reverted to type by prophesying war. But a revolutionary force is now rising from below: a new class of traders and merchants. Capitalism is seeping through the bamboo curtain—will it bring the freedoms North Korea’s people need?

On Tuesday February 12th Henry Tricks, The Economist's Tokyo bureau chief and author of our briefing on North Korea, will answer your questions about the country on Twitter. The discussion will appear in the space below and on Twitter via @econdiscuss. If you have a Twitter account you can leave a question for Mr Tricks now using the box to the right. Just remember to add the hashtag #askeconomist to make sure your question reaches us.