Gov’t confirm‍s N. Korea seeks economic independence

The government said that the Dong-A Ilbo’s report on North Korea’s introduction of a market economy in factories and businesses is right in the large context, which increases the economic independence of North Korea. Government officials and experts are paying attention to a series of economic reforms in North Korea and monitoring the progress and conducting an analysis.

“We think North Korea has taken a series of actions increasing independence in factories, businesses, and farms with the start of economic management improvement measures released on July 1, 2012,” a Unification Ministry source said on Tuesday, adding, “We’re paying attention to this.” The source said, “If North Korea tries to start opening in earnest in January next year, it must have started policy adjustment with its internal system from now. But we haven’t found any sign yet.” But another source said, “North Korea has possibly taken such actions (such as pricing and free management and employment) by now.”

Yang Moon-soo, a professor of the University of North Korean Studies, said, “North Korea started economic management improvement measures in agriculture on June 28 last year, and tries to increase independence in factories and businesses this year.” He also said, “The prospects for a big bumper year in North Korea can be interpreted as the result of last year’s June 28 measures, which is notable.”