North Korea in the News
by Richardson ~ May 30th, 2007. Filed under: News Links. CSM: From rice to nukes, Koreas find little unity (Don Kirk)
Daily NK: More Defectors Fleeing Directly to South Korea
Hankyoreh: In reclusive North, signs of economic liberalization [grain of salt alert]
NYT: U.S. Seeks to Break Deadlock in North Korea Talks
Bloomberg: Hill Tells North Korea to Close Its Nuclear Reactor
AP: SKorea to North: Shut Down Nuke Reactor
VoA: US, Chinese Officials Discuss Difficult NK Funds Issue
Reuters: U.S. wants Chinese banking help over N.Korea: Indonesia
Kyodo: Nakayama asks UN to keep up pressure on DPRK through sanctions
Chosun Ilbo: N.Korea in Appeal to Nationhood at Cross-Border Talks
Interfax: Putin issues decree banning arms sales to N. Korea
KT: South Wants to Open S-N Railway Links
KH: Students join broadcasts aimed at North Koreans
Yonhap: N. Korean, German lawmakers hold symposium in Pyongyang
KCNA: 29 May | 30 May
May 31st, 2007 at 12:42 am
On the “In reclusive North, signs of economic liberalization” story, yeah, I really do not see how that is a liberation issue of any sort, but it is interesting to see something like that. With that said, with the DPRK economy in the shape it is in now, I see it with a heavy heart (especially with the cars) while tens of thousands of people are dying of starvation, digital camera memory is for sale. In my opinion, I really do not see it as anything other than what the DPRK has done for many years: Have stuff for show to make outsiders think things are changing and keeping the morale of the people up. With in incresing numbers of defectors, it seems the strategies are not working very well.
Further, if there is signs of capitalism showing, does this also mean cracks are appearing in the regime? If in fact people are seeing the benefits of a capitalist society, will splits or factions appear? It is very hard to tell at this stage of the game, but something has to give sooner or later.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:55 am
Jack,
For the most part, economic liberalization is a myth and many of the very modest reforms from 2002 have been rolled back. Housing has generally been opened up, but this is more a factor of the inability of the state to provide housing than a drive to liberalize the economy.
I believe that the breakdown of government services that has caused North Koreans to fend for themselves had indeed created and widened cracks in the regimes authority. I’m not sure about factions, but Kim Jong-il’s death would likely create the opportunity for a complete change of regime.
May 31st, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Indeed. Supposidly, Kim’s health has declined, and nobody has been named next in line officially yet. Without a very long grooming process in the propganda machine, the transition needs to be gradually introduced into the DPRK media, and that means millions and millions will need to spent on propaganda.
Now with that said, does the regime have the funds to spend on more monuments? They already increased the amount spent on propagnada as it is. Such a “shock” of a new leadership may just wake the people up.
I can go on and on for hours about this, but I will stop while I am ahead.