25.10.2013, 16:00
![[Bild: sez-event-dprk.jpg]](http://www.nknews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/sez-event-dprk.jpg)
Die Internationale Konferenz über die Entwicklung von Sonderwirtschaftszonen in Pyongyang. Foto: Rodong Sinmun
Internationale Konferenz in Pyongyang über Wirtschaftssonderzonen
Die Internationale Konferenz über die Entwicklung der Wirtschaftssonderzonen wurde am 16. Oktober in Pyongyang eröffnet. Daran nehmen Ökonomen aus dem Gastgeberland – der Demokratischen Volksrepublik Korea (DVRK) – sowie aus Kanada, Malaysia und den USA teil. Wie Ri Chol Sok, Vizepräsident der Koreanischen Vereinigung für Wirtschaftsentwicklung, gegenüber der Agentur KCNA sagte, findet die Konferenz zu einem Zeitpunkt statt, in der die DVRK der Entwicklung von Wirtschaftssonderzonen in einigen Regionen wie etwa der Wirtschafts- und Handelszone Rason besondere Beachtung schenkt.
Die Konferenz beschäftigt sich mit der gegenwärtigen Entwicklung und den Perspektiven der Wirtschaftssonderzonen in der DVRK und ihren Gesetzen, und analysiert die Erfahrungen ähnlicher Wirtschafts- und Exportzonen in China und Vietnam. Die DVRK hat eine Reihe von Gesetzen für die Handelsaktivitäten in diesen Zonen erlassen. Die DVRK verbessert die Wirtschaftsmanagementmethoden und konsolidiert das sozialistische Wirtschaftssystem. Die Konferenz trägt wesentlich zur Ausweitung der internationalen Wirtschafts- und Handelsaktivitäten der DVRK und zur Entwicklung ihrer Wirtschaft bei. (Schweizerisches Korea-Komitee)
Die Konferenz beschäftigt sich mit der gegenwärtigen Entwicklung und den Perspektiven der Wirtschaftssonderzonen in der DVRK und ihren Gesetzen, und analysiert die Erfahrungen ähnlicher Wirtschafts- und Exportzonen in China und Vietnam. Die DVRK hat eine Reihe von Gesetzen für die Handelsaktivitäten in diesen Zonen erlassen. Die DVRK verbessert die Wirtschaftsmanagementmethoden und konsolidiert das sozialistische Wirtschaftssystem. Die Konferenz trägt wesentlich zur Ausweitung der internationalen Wirtschafts- und Handelsaktivitäten der DVRK und zur Entwicklung ihrer Wirtschaft bei. (Schweizerisches Korea-Komitee)
Int'l Conference on SEZ Development Held in DPRK
Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- Ri Chol Sok, vice-president of the Korean Economic Development Association (KEDA), said in his closing address at the Pyongyang International Conference on Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Development that other countries' experience would be helpful to the DPRK seeking to create economic development zones in its localities.
The conference was held at the Yanggakdo International Hotel on October 16-17, with the attendance of KEDA officials, professors of Kim Il Sung University, University of National Economy, Academy of Social Sciences and other related institutions and economists of the DPRK and experts of academic and economic circles of different countries, including University of British Columbia in Canada, Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Delhi in India, Planning & Economic Research in Malaysia and University of Wisconsin in the United States.
It focused on such matters as the features of SEZ planning and the study of its examples, management and investment in SEZ and development course of SEZ. Its participants presented papers on experience and lessons of some countries and valuable propositions and exchanged their views on the prospect of SEZ development in the DPRK and international cooperation in this respect.
Professor Kyung-Ae Park of University of British Columbia in Canada recalled that the conference was conducive to establishing and putting into practice the strategy of comprehensive economic development including the creation of SEZs. The professor hoped that the good ties forged between the participants through the conference would lead to continuous exchange. -0-
The conference was held at the Yanggakdo International Hotel on October 16-17, with the attendance of KEDA officials, professors of Kim Il Sung University, University of National Economy, Academy of Social Sciences and other related institutions and economists of the DPRK and experts of academic and economic circles of different countries, including University of British Columbia in Canada, Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Delhi in India, Planning & Economic Research in Malaysia and University of Wisconsin in the United States.
It focused on such matters as the features of SEZ planning and the study of its examples, management and investment in SEZ and development course of SEZ. Its participants presented papers on experience and lessons of some countries and valuable propositions and exchanged their views on the prospect of SEZ development in the DPRK and international cooperation in this respect.
Professor Kyung-Ae Park of University of British Columbia in Canada recalled that the conference was conducive to establishing and putting into practice the strategy of comprehensive economic development including the creation of SEZs. The professor hoped that the good ties forged between the participants through the conference would lead to continuous exchange. -0-
Rodong Sinmun admits mistakes were made on Special Economic Zones
North Korean media outlet concedes special economic zones have not worked as well as hoped
North Korean media outlet concedes special economic zones have not worked as well as hoped
BY MICHAEL MADDEN, OCTOBER 25, 2013
North Korean newspaper the Rodong Sinmun has admitted that the DPRK’s work on creating Special Economic Zones has not been successful as was initially hopes, in a report published on October 23. In an usually frank admission at the Pyongyang International Conference on Special Economic Trade Zone Development, the Workers’ Party newspaper conceded that ”normal” development of the SEZ did not take place for 16 years after its establishment. Interestingly, the report also admitted that the DPRK had studied other country’s models for development and special economic zones and will continue to do so.
According to the report, the conference – held “at a time when all of the country’s people were undertaking powerful struggles to highly uphold the party’s strategic line and start a great turnabout in the construction of an economically powerful state” – provided an “important opportunity to show the peace-loving stance and policies of our party and the Republic’s government concentrating efforts on economic development and the improvement of the people’s living standards.” The Rodong said the conference as “meaningful and useful” for its participants.
The Rodong described the political environment under which the country convened the conference by highlighting the completion of the Munsu Water Park and Kim Jong Un’s attendance and concerts by two DPRK performing troupes and a Russian orchestra. The Rodong claimed that at these events, “the whole world was witness to the policy of a state directing attention to international exchanges in the field of art and the people-loving politics of the Workers‘ Party of Korea, committed to creating the best in the world for the interests of the people, no matter how much it costs”.
The featured speaker during an October 16 session on SEZ case studies was Director of the Korea Economic Development Association Yun Yong Suk, who “gave an overview of the policies of our policies had been consistently maintaining in the area of external economic cooperation and the state of external economic activities of the previous period.” “Economic experts and scholars from foreign countries showed interest in his presentation on the state of our country’s external economic cooperation work developing toward new higher stages in recent years,” the Rodong declared. Yun presented “case studies” on Rason, Hwanggumpyong and Wihwado and Mt. Kumgang.
The afternoon session focused on the management of SEZs with the keynote speaker being Dr. Kang Jong Nam of KIS University College of Law. Kang lectured about the DPRK’s laws on special economic zones and said that the country hoped to develop “14 economic development zones” and that “subsequent legal measures on the development and management and operation of special economic zones are being newly implemented, while work is getting underway to amend and supplement existing rules and regulations.” Kang also also discussed the January 1993 Law on the Rason Economic and Trade Zone, passed by the Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium, and the DPRK Law on Economic Development Zones passed by the SPA Presidium in May 2013. According to Rodong, “Dr. Kang’s presentation helped foreign economic experts gain a deep understanding of the Law on Special Economic Zones today established as a single indepedent legal system in our country.”
On the Kaesong Industrial Zone, where business operations were suspended for nearly six months in 2013, he said the zone was “boldly created and operated in an area close to the Military Demarcation Line, despite the volatile military and political situations there for the purpose of proving support for the fatherland’s reunification through independent and peaceful methods based on North-South economic cooperation.”
Kim Hong Il ended his presentation saying “currently with their feet planted in their own land and their eyes set on the world, our country’s external economic experts are brimming with confidence as they turn special economic zones into a stage for economic cooperation toward achieving common prosperity with many countries around the world.” Kim’s closing remarks used a variation of a slogan that appeared in DPRK state media in 2010 during Kim Jong Un’s hereditary succession drive (“with our eyes on the world while having one’s feet planted in one’s country”).
– Kim Hong Il, based on the excerpt of his remarks quoted in Rodong, essentially conceded that “normal” development of Rason did not take place until 16 years after its establishment. This was a relatively frank admission and an unusual disclosure for a member of the DPRK’s influential elite to make in public (or state media).
– Choe Hyon Chol’s presentation had two interesting revelations. The first is that he admitted the country had studied numerous development and SEZ models. While DPRK officials will admit privately that other countries’ development models are studied, Rodong described Choe’s breadth of knowledge as a “deep understanding.” The second revelation in Choe’s lecture is that the DPRK intends to continue, and possibly, increase the DPRK’s level of participation in foreign education and training programs such as Choson Exchange, the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, among others.
– KCNA and Korean Central Television reported on the conference on the two days it occurred. However, in publishing this account in Rodong Sinmun it took seven days for coverage to appear in print in the Korean Workers’ Party’s daily newspaper. Given the delay in publication and the time disparity between DPRK state media outlets, the Rodong report on the conference was most likely subjected to censorship and several edits (i.e. rewrites) by the Publication Guidance Bureau.
– The title of the Rodong article used the phrase “takeways” (“A Useful Meeting Held When it Was Needed–Takeaways From Participation in the Pyongyang International Conference on Special Economic Zone Development”) a metaphor which is widely used in Western media (particularly the US) coverage of business in politics. The article’s title shows that DPRK news writers not only read external media reporting, but can apply the some of the syntax and diction they read to their own reports. The article’s title and composition indicate that it was authored or edited by a DPRK news writer in his/her 20s or 30s. (NK News)
According to the report, the conference – held “at a time when all of the country’s people were undertaking powerful struggles to highly uphold the party’s strategic line and start a great turnabout in the construction of an economically powerful state” – provided an “important opportunity to show the peace-loving stance and policies of our party and the Republic’s government concentrating efforts on economic development and the improvement of the people’s living standards.” The Rodong said the conference as “meaningful and useful” for its participants.
The Rodong described the political environment under which the country convened the conference by highlighting the completion of the Munsu Water Park and Kim Jong Un’s attendance and concerts by two DPRK performing troupes and a Russian orchestra. The Rodong claimed that at these events, “the whole world was witness to the policy of a state directing attention to international exchanges in the field of art and the people-loving politics of the Workers‘ Party of Korea, committed to creating the best in the world for the interests of the people, no matter how much it costs”.
The featured speaker during an October 16 session on SEZ case studies was Director of the Korea Economic Development Association Yun Yong Suk, who “gave an overview of the policies of our policies had been consistently maintaining in the area of external economic cooperation and the state of external economic activities of the previous period.” “Economic experts and scholars from foreign countries showed interest in his presentation on the state of our country’s external economic cooperation work developing toward new higher stages in recent years,” the Rodong declared. Yun presented “case studies” on Rason, Hwanggumpyong and Wihwado and Mt. Kumgang.
The afternoon session focused on the management of SEZs with the keynote speaker being Dr. Kang Jong Nam of KIS University College of Law. Kang lectured about the DPRK’s laws on special economic zones and said that the country hoped to develop “14 economic development zones” and that “subsequent legal measures on the development and management and operation of special economic zones are being newly implemented, while work is getting underway to amend and supplement existing rules and regulations.” Kang also also discussed the January 1993 Law on the Rason Economic and Trade Zone, passed by the Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium, and the DPRK Law on Economic Development Zones passed by the SPA Presidium in May 2013. According to Rodong, “Dr. Kang’s presentation helped foreign economic experts gain a deep understanding of the Law on Special Economic Zones today established as a single indepedent legal system in our country.”
“Based on the excerpt of his remarks in Rodong, Kim traced “progress” in Rason’s development to a visit there by late leader Kim Jong Il in December 2009″
On October 17, the morning session focused on developing the DPRK’s SEZs. Kim Hong Il, an economic department dean at KIS University, lectured on the development of SEZs. Kim spoke about the original DPRK Cabinet Decree which created the Rason Economic and Trade Zone on December 28, 1991. He also conceded that “development work in this zone, which called the ‘Golden Triangle’ did not proceed normally for a certain period of time.” Based on the excerpt of his remarks in Rodong, Kim traced “progress” in Rason’s development to a visit there by late leader Kim Jong Il in December 2009. Kim also discussed Hwanggumpyong/Wihwa and Mt. Kumgang.On the Kaesong Industrial Zone, where business operations were suspended for nearly six months in 2013, he said the zone was “boldly created and operated in an area close to the Military Demarcation Line, despite the volatile military and political situations there for the purpose of proving support for the fatherland’s reunification through independent and peaceful methods based on North-South economic cooperation.”
Kim Hong Il ended his presentation saying “currently with their feet planted in their own land and their eyes set on the world, our country’s external economic experts are brimming with confidence as they turn special economic zones into a stage for economic cooperation toward achieving common prosperity with many countries around the world.” Kim’s closing remarks used a variation of a slogan that appeared in DPRK state media in 2010 during Kim Jong Un’s hereditary succession drive (“with our eyes on the world while having one’s feet planted in one’s country”).
“Choe Hyon Chol admitted the country had studied numerous development and SEZ models”
The conference’s last session included a presentation on an execution plan for SEZ development in the DPRK from Choe Hyon Chol, a section chief in the Korea Economic Development Association who Rodong described as “a young presenter” whose “voice was full confidence” and who had a “deep understanding of how development zones evolved in many countries and regions around the world as an economic professional.” Choe “explained the various economic development zones envisioned by our country and the comprehensive and reliable set of incentive measure planned for those development zones.” Choe also “stressed the important need to train many competent and promising people capable of handling this work on the development of special economic zones” and “expressed a willingness to arrange experience seminars, investment forums, and exhibitions to actively promote an atmosphere of international investment and cooperation for special economic zones in our country.”ANALYSIS:
Rodong Sinmun’s coverage of the SEZ conference was rather extraordinary and had some interesting revelations about DPRK policy approaches in SEZ development and foreign trade:– Kim Hong Il, based on the excerpt of his remarks quoted in Rodong, essentially conceded that “normal” development of Rason did not take place until 16 years after its establishment. This was a relatively frank admission and an unusual disclosure for a member of the DPRK’s influential elite to make in public (or state media).
– Choe Hyon Chol’s presentation had two interesting revelations. The first is that he admitted the country had studied numerous development and SEZ models. While DPRK officials will admit privately that other countries’ development models are studied, Rodong described Choe’s breadth of knowledge as a “deep understanding.” The second revelation in Choe’s lecture is that the DPRK intends to continue, and possibly, increase the DPRK’s level of participation in foreign education and training programs such as Choson Exchange, the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, among others.
– KCNA and Korean Central Television reported on the conference on the two days it occurred. However, in publishing this account in Rodong Sinmun it took seven days for coverage to appear in print in the Korean Workers’ Party’s daily newspaper. Given the delay in publication and the time disparity between DPRK state media outlets, the Rodong report on the conference was most likely subjected to censorship and several edits (i.e. rewrites) by the Publication Guidance Bureau.
– The title of the Rodong article used the phrase “takeways” (“A Useful Meeting Held When it Was Needed–Takeaways From Participation in the Pyongyang International Conference on Special Economic Zone Development”) a metaphor which is widely used in Western media (particularly the US) coverage of business in politics. The article’s title shows that DPRK news writers not only read external media reporting, but can apply the some of the syntax and diction they read to their own reports. The article’s title and composition indicate that it was authored or edited by a DPRK news writer in his/her 20s or 30s. (NK News)
