Archive for the 'Economics' Category

North Korea Voids Political-Military Agreements with ROK

Friday, January 30th, 2009

North Korea’s state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), on 30 January 2009, released statement declaring the DPRK’s unilateral withdrawal from all political and military agreements with South Korea.
Specifically cited was a 1991 agreement that included a sea border in the Yellow Sea. This signals North Korea’s dissatisfaction with ROK President [...]

American Beef Now OK in ROK

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Remember the mad protests about American beef in South Korea? The mass hysteria of biblical proportions (”cats and dogs living together!”) that gripped the country and led to its otherwise sensible president to apologize regarding the “hurried” negotiation over resumption of the importation of American beef?
Well, now, apparently, American beef is welcome in ROK again:
Now, [...]

Pyongyang Soju Updates Lables for U.S. Market

Sunday, August 24th, 2008

In a previous post on Pyongyang Soju being imported to the U.S., I used pics from a bottle I have, which was purchased in South Korea. Jason Perlow of Off the Broiler sampled some Pyongyang Soju at a Korean restaurant in New Jersey and has photos of the updated labels (looks like it was $5.99 [...]

What if Kim Jong-il Died… Today? (Part 2)

Friday, August 8th, 2008

This post is continued from last July, when rumors or Kim Jong-il having heart surgery had (again) brought up the question of who would lead North Korea should he die. That post basically covered dynastic succession and focused on his three legitimate sons, Kim Jong-nam (김정남), Kim Jong-chol (김정철), and Kim Jong-eun (김정운), none of [...]

North Korea Meth at Subic in the Philippines

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

Via Reuters: “…there was strong suspicion a huge shipment of methamphetamines seized at the former U.S. navy base of Subic north of Manila this week came from clandestine drugs laboratories in North Korea.” The Joker took over Batman’s abandoned cave.

UN Clears Self of Hemorrhaging Cash in North Korea

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

The UN’s audit of the UNDP – which last June the internal audit was noted as being somewhat of a fiasco – has, surprise, surprise, cleared the UNDP and itself of any wrongdoing in the matter:
The case has in part revolved around accusations that some of the hard currency UNDP spent in North Korea ended [...]

More Cars in China

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

As a former immigrant, I revere America’s car culture. Automobile, to me, means freedom — to go where one wishes, rather than to be limited by the rail tracks or bus routes that the government determines. This freedom of mobility might increase in China as more Chinese buys cars, including foreign cars. This is certainly [...]

Kim Yong-nam to Visit Uganda

Monday, March 17th, 2008

From Reuters:
North Korea’s number two leader is expected to sign trade and defence deals with Uganda where he is due to make a rare visit this month, Uganda’s international affairs minister said on Sunday. Kim Yong-nam, the president of the presidium of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, is expected to start a three-day visit to [...]

North Korea and Russia Conclude Khasan-Rajin Railway Deal

Sunday, March 16th, 2008

North Korea and Russia have reached an agreement to renovate the 55 km Khasan-Rajin railway, which will link North Korea’s port city of Rajin (Najin) to Russia’s Trans-Siberian Railroad. Some reconstruction is required as the two countries use different rail gauges, and North Korea’s portion likely is in varying stages of disrepair.
Though it will take [...]

Air Koryo Prepares Russian TU-204-300 Airliner for Service

Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

Late in 2007 Russia delivered “its most advanced long-range jet,” to North Korea’s Air Koryo (h/t GS). A variant of the Tupolev TU-204 twin-engined medium range Russian airliner was purchased, the TU-204-300:
It is a shortened, longer range and more efficient derivative of the Tu-204. It is about 6 meters (20 ft) shorter than the basic [...]