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North Korea Plans For 2013

Eric Parra |
January 1, 2013 | 11:31 a.m. PST

Executive Producer

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Creative Commons).
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Creative Commons).
North Korea is planning on a new beginning to the New Year, at least in the mind of current leader, Kim Jong Un. 

In his New Year Address on Tuesday, January 1st, 2013, the Supreme Leader announced that he wants to “remove confrontation” with South Korea and the “anti-reunification forces.” He pushed for an end of South Korea’s hostility towards the North through a détente involving signed agreements from years past.

The agreements came from “the North and liberal, pro-engagement presidents in Seoul,” and require economic cooperation, high level government discussion, and the creation of a cooperation zone in the Yellow Sea.

According to South Korea’s soon-to-be President, Park Geun-hye, all major economic cooperation with the North will be held off until the nuclear weapons program is disassembled. 

READ MORE: South Korea Elects First Female President 

In addition, Kim Jong Un also claimed wishes to reestablish the North Korean Economy on a much grander scale than before.

From Bloomberg:

“The building of an economic giant is the most important task that comes to the fore in the present stage of building a thriving socialist country,” Kim said today in a New Year address carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. “The reunification of the country is the greatest national task that brooks no further delay.”

The economic growth will rely heavily on cooperation from not only the South side of Korea, but from other allies that North Korea can gain as well. Kim wishes to establish this point by emphasizing the differences between him and his father, Kim Jong Il, the previous leader for 17 years. 

Kim Jong Un has already spoken more often and outwardly to his people than his father had, and strives to motivate the citizens for change.

From The Washington Post:

“Whether spoken or written, the New Year’s messages are scrutinized by outside analysts for hints about policymaking in the family-run police state. On Tuesday, Kim emphasized many staple themes of the country’s daily propaganda: He spoke about economic improvement but did not mention the North’s current destitution and food shortages. He called for a “dynamic struggle to boost production” but gave no clear sign that the government would change its spending priorities — its military and weapons program.”

READ MORE: North Korea Halts Nuclear Program For American Aid

North Korea’s economy is nowhere near the size or strength of South Korea’s, and many citizens suffer from malnutrition and deal with poverty. The New Year’s Speech showed the willingness to change for a better future, but actions yet to pass will determine what changes will occur.

 

You can read more of Neontommy's coverage on North Korea here.

Reach Executive Producer Eric Parra here.



 

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