This study attempted to examine the role of education in industrialization in North Korea and education reform tasks for its economic development. Profound interviews were conducted with sixteen persons who had escaped from North Korea. The rapid universalization of primary and secondary education and vocational and technical education policies were discussed to have contributed to North Korea's economic development until the first half of 1970s. However, the rapid expansion of higher education and its social selection function, socialization emphasizing uniformity, collectivism and obedience, extremely heavy labor education and the lack of absolute time for studying and distorted system for the training and utilization of scientists and engineers were pointed out as obstacles to the economic development of North Korea. The education reform tasks for economic development are following; (1) to consolidate vocational and technical education; (2) to diversify and specialize higher education institutions; (3) to introduce a merit based college entrance system (4) to maintain the balance between political or ideological education and professional education; (5) to secure substantial learning time during the optimum period for studying.; and (6) to enhance the efficiency of the system for the training and utilization of scientists and engineers.