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Reuters reported that ROK unification ministry spokesman Chung Kang-kyu said Friday that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's visit to the PRC last month is likely to spur the DPRK to experiment with Chinese-style economic development. Chung said, "Kim Jong-il's tour in China in January would have a great impact on North Korea's economic policies, directly and indirectly. That perception underscored our report on North Korea." The ministry report said that the DPRK was likely to set up free economic zones this year in cities such as Nampo and Kaesong, and attempt to revitalize a special economic zone for foreign investors established in the Rajin-Sonbong area in the early 1990s. Ministry officials said that any such moves by the DPRK would need cooperation from the ROK and international organizations like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. ("SEOUL SAYS NORTH KOREA LIKELY TO FOLLOW CHINA MODEL," Seoul, 2/2/01)
The Sankei Shimbun reported that according to PRC-DPRK diplomatic sources, DPRK leader Kim Jong-il told PRC President Jiang Zemin that Kim intends to construct a high-tech city in the DPRK modeled on Shanghai. The report also said that Kim surprised PRC officials by visiting the Shanghai Stock Exchange twice. Kim was also heard to say to the Workers' Party officials and People's Army officials who accompanied him, "Let's build skyscrapers. China has succeeded in economic reforms. Why have we failed?" The report added that the PRC side generally took Kim's words during his visit as indicating that Kim is now determined to conduct economic reforms and that Kim's turning to the PRC model of economic reform and opening proves the PRC model to be the right track. (Ruriko Kubota, "KIM JONG-IL AIMS TO BUILD SHANGHAI-LIKE HIGH-TECH CITY," 02/02/2001)
The Asahi Shimbun reported that Japanese Ambassador to the ROK Terusuke Terada told the Asahi Shimbun that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's recent visit to the PRC indicates that the DPRK is beginning to introduce "new thinking" in economic reform by modeling the PRC approach to economic reform and opening. Terada stated, "The fact that the DPRK is openly reporting Kim Jong-il's visit to factories in Shanghai indicates how serious the DPRK is (about economic reform).... I assume that the DPRK may intend to construct a mini-Shanghai (economic development) area in Kaesong, which is close to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and introduce ROK investments." ("AMBASSADOR EMPHASIZES JAPAN-US-ROK COOPERATION FOR STABILITY OF KOREAN PENINSULA," 01/31/2001)
By Cheong Wooksik (Translation by You Sanghee)
North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il's surprise visit to China, in the very first month of 2001, has provoked keen interest of the international community. The fact that the visit took place only days before the inauguration of President Bush allows for a possibility of the two leaders, Mr. Kim and his old ally Chinese Premier Jiang Zemin, examining the comprehensive structure of dynamics on the Korean peninsula as well as in the Northeast Asian region. On the surface, Mr. Kim's visit to China strongly hints at his intentions toward China-style opening and reform. In fact, North Korea currently has almost no choice at all to revive its 20-year recession economy other than to open up and introduce reforms through improving ties with the outside world. In addition, the communist regime finds enough merit in the Chinese system, where socialist political regime coexists with capitalist economy, resulting in a huge economic success...
Choson Ilbo reported that nine officials accompanied DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] Chairman Kim Jong-il on his visit to the PRC, which ended on January 20. The officials were: Chief of General Staff Kim Yong-chun; Yon Hyong-muk, a NDC member and also chief secretary to Workers' Party of Korea [WPK] Chagang Provincial Committee; WPK Secretary Kim Kuk-thae; Jong Ha-chol, director of the WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department; First Foreign Vice Minister Kang Sok-ju; WPK International Department Director Kim Yang-gon; WPK First Vice-Director Pak Song-bong; Hyon Chol-hae and Pak Jae-gyong, vice-directors of the Korean People's Army General Political Bureau. Particular attention was drawn to the inclusion of the three military leaders: Kim Yong-chun, Hyon Chol-hae, and Pak Jae-gyong.
The inclusion of First Vice-Foreign Minister Kang Sok-ju, who personally participated and commanded negotiations with the US Clinton administration for eight years, also allows conjectures that one of the critical goals during Kim Jong-il's visit to the PRC was consulting about DPRK-US relations. By contrast, Secretary Kim Yong-sun, who accompanied Kim Jong-il on his May visit, did not accompany him this time. This seems to hint that the inter-Korean issue was not an important agenda item.("SOUTH KOREAN PAPER ANALYZES NORTH'S DELEGATION TO CHINA," 1/21/01)
People's Daily carried the news story that Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korean (WPK) Central Committee and Chairman of the National Defense Commission of DPRK, paid an unofficial visit to China between January 15-20. Kim made the visit at the invitation of Jiang Zemin, general secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and PRC president. Talks between the two leaders were held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, after Kim made a four-day tour of Shanghai. Premier Zhu Rongji met Kim in Shanghai. Zhu accompanied him on a visit to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Shanghai GM Automobile Co, and Shanghai Huahong NEC Electronic Co. Huang J., secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPC, briefed the delegation on Shanghai's reform and opening-up drive, and accompanied Kim and other DPRK guests to visit the Pudong New District, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shanghai Bao Steel, Zhangjiang High-tech Park and Sunqiao Modern Agricultural Development Zone.
PRC and DPRK leaders briefed each other on their domestic situations in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, exchanging views on the further development of bilateral relations, as well as major international issues of common interest. The two sides agreed that the tradition of mutual contact between party and state leaders should be maintained. Kim was pleased to meet Jiang and other Chinese party and state leaders after an interval of seven months, and to personally see the development of Shanghai. Both sides held that the relevant departments of the two countries have made a great effort to implement the consensus reached between Jiang and Kim during Kim's previous Chinese tour last May.
They agreed that good relations were vital for the fundamental interests of the two countries and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity. Jiang was delighted to see the substantial progress and achievements made by the people of the DPRK in pushing economic development, national reunification and foreign affairs. Kim stressed that the big changes that have taken place in the PRC, and Shanghai in particular, since the reform opening-up drive, proved that policies adopted by the CPC were correct. ("JIANG ZEMIN MET WITH KIM JONG-IL," 01/21/01, P1)
Global Times carried an article on the DPRK leader's visit to the PRC. Kim Jong-il's secret visit last week was arranged according to an agreement between the two countries. Therefore, the PRC and the DPRK closely guarded the relevant information in regard to the visit, and the security measures taken were very tight. The DPRK media continued to report Kim's various activities, so it did not seem that he was abroad. A Japanese news agency, however, immediately reported his visit on January 15 when Kim was to leave his country. It was said that at the Dandong train station, which is on the PRC side of the border, security was strengthened on January 14.
As Kim's visit was close to China's traditional holiday (lunar New Year), the choice of timing was favorable for keeping the secret, as no one would expect that the PRC would receive Kim during that period. Last year Kim expressed a number of times his interest in visiting Shanghai. He put forward his desire last year when receiving General Chi Haotian on the occasion of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the PRC's entry to the Korean War. His urgent need to visit Shanghai is out of the consideration of adjusting the DPRK's development strategy.
On January 1, the DPRK's Party newspaper, army newspaper and Youth Daily published a joint editorial proposing to change perception and develop the economy. The foremost aim of Kim's visit this time is to understand the achievements of the PRC's reform and opening, and to learn from the PRC's experience. It could not excluded that he might request economic aid. After the visit Kim reportedly said, "Shanghai has had unbelievable change and attracted worldwide attention." In addition, the timing of the visit prior to US President George W. Bush's inauguration may not be accidental. (Zhang Xinghua, "KIM JONG-IL VISITS SHANGAI SECRETLY," 01/23/01, P2)
Xinmin Evening News reported that Nodong News published an editorial on January 23, which stressed that Kim Jong-il's recent visit to the PRC is an important event in the history of Korean-Chinese relations. The editorial said that the successful visit will consolidate and deepen the traditional friendly relations between the two countries. It also mentioned that under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, the PRC has achieved social stability and unity while increasingly improving its international standing. The DPRK sincerely wishes that all moves of the PRC would be successful. (KOREAN-CHINESE FRIENDSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP, 01/24/01, P16)
Nezavisimaya gazeta's M.Yu. reported that DPRK Foreign Ministry had continued to claim that reports of DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's visit to PRC were false. Information on his previous visit there last year was not released till the end of the visit. ROK sources said that he went to PRC accompanied by 200 high ranking DPRK officials on a special train used by his late father Kim Il-sung. Most probably he started his trip with Shanghai in order to get familiar with the experiences of the largest industrial center of PRC with a view to use them for reconstruction of the DPRK economy. Kim paid special attention to attraction of foreign investments to the state sector. He was expected to meet with PRC Chairman Jiang Zemin and to stay in the PRC till January 20. ("KIM JONG-IL STUDIES CHINESE EXPERIENCE," Moscow, 6, 01/18/01)
Izvestia reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il visited the stock exchange of Shanghai, a semiconductor factory and the Shanghai General Motors joint US-PRC car-making plant. He was accompanied by PRC Premier Zhu Rongji. On January 19 he was to meet with PRC Chairman Jiang Zemin in Beijing. ("KIM JONG-IL STUDIES THE CHINESE MODEL," Moscow, 6, 01/19/01)
The Korea Herald reported that analysts in the ROK said Tuesday that the DPRK's latest diplomatic offensive is part of its circumventing strategy designed to weaken the new US administration's hard-line stance toward the DPRK. Lee Hun-kyong, a research fellow at the semi-official Korea Institute of National Unification in Seoul, said, "The North is sending a message to the United States that it would push for openness and reform by showing its eagerness to improve relations with foreign nations."
On January 21, the DPRK Foreign Ministry promised to actively promote the improvement of foreign relations, hailing Kim's visit to the PRC as an "epoch-making" event in relations between the DPRK and the PRC. Lee said, "The Pyongyang regime may judge that its move to pursue reform and openness, be it genuine or not, will help prevent the Bush administration from driving the North into a corner." The DPRK's positive attitude toward improving relations with Western nations helped the EU member countries open ties with the DPRK.
However, despite the DPRK's establishment of ties with European nations, it remains to be seen whether bilateral relations will be able to develop substantially. Analysts said this is because the DPRK must address the international concern of its missile program and improve human rights conditions to expand exchanges and cooperation with the EU member states. [Ed. note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for January 23, 2001.] (Shin Yong-bae, "NORTH KOREA SENDING MESSAGES OF OPENING, REFORM TO US," 1/23/01)
New York Times reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il returned to his country on January 20 after a secretive five-day visit to the PRC. PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said, "Mr. Kim stressed that the big changes that have taken place in China, and Shanghai in particular, since China began its reform and opening-up have proved that the policies pursued by the Chinese Communist Party and people are correct." PRC diplomats said they considered Kim's remarks significant, especially because he had visited Shanghai in 1983, when the market reforms were just getting started, and criticized the PRC at the time for "revisionism."
Foreign experts noted that earlier this month, the DRPK official news media featured unusual editorials that called for "new ways of thinking" about the economy. Foreign experts said that whether Kim has the power and skill to push through deep reforms is unclear, but one reason he was accompanied on his visit this week by senior military officers may have been to help convince them that it is possible to loosen the economy while preserving the ruling party's grip on power. In the briefing on January 20, Zhu did not comment on whether the PRC has urged the DPRK to curb their missile program, but did say that "China is opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and sincerely hopes to see a relaxation of tensions on the Korean peninsula." He also stressed the PRC support for the recent steps between the DPRK and the ROK toward reconciliation. [Ed. note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for January 22, 2001.] (Erik Eckholm, "NORTH KOREAN PLACED FOCUS ON BUSINESS IN CHINA VISIT," Beijing, 1/21/01)
Agence France Presse reported that the ROK welcomed DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il's visit to the PRC as an important sign that the country may follow the PRC's reform path. The ROK foreign ministry said in a statement on January 20, "It is very meaningful that Kim Jong-Il visited China to inspect Shanghai,
the symbol of China's economic reform, and meet with Chinese leaders. We see reform and openness as a trend of the era and believe that the development the Chinese government achieved through economic reform policy will serve as a reference to North Korea's economic development."
The DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency said, "The two leaders informed each other of the situation in their countries in a friendly atmosphere and exchanged views on the issue of further developing the relations between the two countries and on major international matters of mutual concern and reached a consensus of views on them. Kim Jong-Il expressed the belief that the Chinese people will certainly score new achievements in realising the targets for development set in the tenth five-year plan." DPRK television stations also extensively advertised Kim's economic fact-finding tour of Shanghai. ("SOUTH KOREA SEES KIM JONG-IL'S CHINA VISIT AS HERALDING REFORM," Seoul, 1/21/01), Associated Press (Martin Fackler, "CHINA ACKNOWLEDGES NKOREA'S KIM," Beijing, 1/21/01), and Reuters ("NORTH KOREA'S KIM ENDS CHINA TOUR, LAUDS REFORMS," Beijing, 1/21/01)
Pyongyang, January 20 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong paid an unofficial visit to the People's Republic of China from January 15 to 20 on the invitation of Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the PRC. Party and state leaders of China warmly welcomed and cordially received Kim Jong Il on China visit. Talks were held between Kim Jong Il and Jiang Zemin in Beijing. They informed each other of the situation in their countries in a friendly atmosphere and exchanged their views on the issue of further developing the relations between the two countries and reached a consensus of them on important international matters of mutual concern. Kim Jong Il invited Jiang Zemin to visit the DPRK at a convenient time and his invitation was accepted with pleasure.
Chosun Ilbo reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il visited the Shanghai Securitites Exchange (SSE) Wednesday accompanied by PRC Prime Minister Zhu Rongji. Kim later went to the high tech development zone of Pudong. Kim and his 50 car motorcade began the day at Saegae Park and then toured the Shanghai, Hwahoe-NEC joint venture with Japan which produces computer chips. In the afternoon, Kim visited the Pudong Development Administration's office where he was informed of the history and economic strategy of the region. Following this he toured several IT companies in the area. Later, Kim returned to the Shizao Hotel before attending a special performance for the Lunar New Year at the Grand Theater. PRC sources say Kim will leave Shanghai for Beijing tomorrow afternoon and he will hold a meeting with Jiang Zemin on Friday. ("KIM JONG IL VISITS SHANGHAI SECURITIES EXCHANGE,"01/17/01) and Joongang Ilbo (Jin Se-keun, "SHENZHEN NEXT STOP ON VISIT AFTER TALK WITH ZHU," Shanghai, 01/18/01)
The Korea Herald reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung said Wednesday that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's second visit to the PRC in about seven months proves that the country is following PRC's path on reforming and opening its economy. In a National Security Council (NSC) meeting, Kim referred to "a second China" in describing the recent developments, including Kim Jong-il's trip to the PRC and moves to improve relations with the US and other countries. Kim said, "North Korea is definitely changing." He noted that the DPRK leadership publicly mentioned "new thinking" in his New Year's message and that Kim Jong-il is touring industrial sites in the PRC. Kim added, "This shows that North Korea is deeply interested in the Chinese-style reform and open-door policy and that it is trying to become a second China."
Kim said the DPRK is expected to put its priority on the improvement of relations with the United States this year to ensure its security and economic rehabilitation. He said, "We should support the North's efforts to improve relations with the international community." Kim said the ROK does not have to be preoccupied with when Kim Jong-il should visit Seoul. He added, "We don't have to speed it up nor delay unnecessarily," stressing that what is important is what agreements to make in the second inter-Korean summit. ("N.K. FOLLOWING CHINA'S EXAMPLE, PRESIDENT SAYS,"01/18/01) and Chosun Ilbo (Kim Min-bai, "GOVERNMENT TO SEEK PERMANENT PEACE SYSTEM," Seoul, 01/17/01)
Reuters and Agence France Presse reported that the ROK Yonhap News Agency quoted presidential spokesman Park Joon- young confirming on Wednesday that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il was in the PRC and said the visit indicated the DPRK was seeking changes. Park told Yonhap that ROK president Kim Dae-jung said, "In (Kim Jong-il's) visit to China and in missile talks with the United States, North Korea was seeking to become a second China. This proves strongly that North Korea is changing." An ROK official said the comments by Park were made during a pre-meeting briefing to local reporters and were a "partial reflection of what the president may have said during the meeting," which was due to end shortly. The ROK presidential Blue House has yet to confirm or deny the DPRK leader's whereabouts, although local media on Wednesday widely reported as fact the visit was taking place and that Kim Jong-il was in Shanghai.
Dong Yong-Seung of the Samsung Economic Research Institute said, "Kim Jong-Il is keenly interested in obtaining new technology, especially information technology. He apparently wants to learn from the Chinese experience in developing the economy, but he will not blindly follow China's steps."
Huh Moon-Young of the state-financed Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) said Kim Jong-Il appeared to be sending signals to the US. Huh said, "One is that the North is shifting toward a policy of openness, although limited and without reform. The other one is that North Korea has China to balance the United States, where the new administration of George W. Bush is soon to be launched." Lee Jong-Seok of the private Sejong Institute said that aside from inspecting the PRC's economic miracle, Kim Jong-il also wanted to coordinate with his PRC allies on policies toward the US. Lee said, "Chairman Kim is stepping up policies of pragmatism through this visit. It will also help advance inter-Korean ties as well." ("SOUTH KOREA CONFIRMS NORTH'S KIM IN CHINA," Seoul, 1/17/01) ("KIM JONG-IL LEARNING LESSONS FROM CHINA ON OPENING ECONOMY," Seoul, 1/17/01)
The Korea Herald reported that ROK officials and analysts said on January 16 that the ongoing visit to the PRC by DPRK leader Kim Jong-il demonstrates how urgently the DPRK needs the advice and support of the PRC in both economic and diplomatic areas. Officials said Kim, accompanied by his top aides, reportedly crossed the Sino-Korean border by train on January 15 for a weeklong visit, aimed at touring industrial facilities in PRC. A senior ROK official said, "North Korea seems to be headed toward the path of reform and open-door policies adopted earlier by China, Vietnam and Laos." Dong Yong-seung, a fellow at the Samsung Economic Research Institute (SERI), said, "From looking at the list of Kim's key entourage, Kim seems to hope China's industrial developments would stimulate his officials, mostly conservative and politically-oriented bureaucrats, to become reform-minded." Kim is reportedly visiting the Pudong district in Shanghai, where foreign capital has brought an unprecedented development boom.
Observers said that another goal for the top-level visit is to hold face-to-face discussions with PRC President Jiang Zemin on DPRK relations with the ROK and the US. The DPRK leader is also expected to try to enhance ties between the two countries by coordinating their diplomatic policies toward the US under George W. Bush's new administration. A government official said, "Chairman (of National Defense Commission) Kim will likely discuss with Chinese leaders the North's policy direction for U.S.-North Korea and inter-Korean relations under the Bush administration, which advocates 'peace through power.' " (Kim Ji-ho,"N. KOREAN LEADER IN DIRE NEED OF BEIJING'S ADVICE ON ECONOMY, DIPLOMACY," Seoul, 01/17/01), The Korea Herald (Shin Yong-bae, "N.K. LEADER KIM JONG-IL SAID TO BE ON SECRET VISIT TO CHINA," Seoul, 01/17/01) and The Korea Times (Son Key-young, "KIM'S TRIP MAY DECLARE NK'S OPENING," Seoul, 01/17/01)
The Korea Herald reported that a ranking ROK official said on January 16 that the DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's surprise trip to the PRC indicates that he may come to the ROK at an earlier-than-expected date. The official said, "We did not expect Chairman Kim to go to China this early, although we believed he would do so some time between after the lunar New Year holidays (on Jan. 24) and March." The official said that the ROK government expected Kim Jong-il to visit the ROK some time between "spring and the end of the first half of this year." The official added that the ROK government had information as early as last December that Kim Jong-il would make another trip to the PRC this year. (Chon Shi-yong,"OFFICIAL HINTS KIM JONG-IL MAY VISIT SEOUL EARLY," Seoul, 01/17/01)
Agence France Presse and Associated Press reported that an official at Shanghai's foreign ministry
confirmed to AFP that DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il was visiting Shanghai on Tuesday in his second secret trip to the PRC within 12 months. ROK media reports said that Kim was in the city, but declined to give any details about the visit. A PRC border official at Dandong, on the DPRK border, said Kim's train passed through the frontier at on January 15 (2200 GMT, January 14).
The ROK Yonhap News Agency said Kim would visit Shanghai's financial district in Pudong and would later head to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone near Hong Kong during a six-day visit. A spokesman for the PRC foreign ministry said he could not confirm or deny that Kim was in the PRC. The ROK Hangook Ilbo newspaper said Kim would meet with both PRC President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji during this trip. The paper said his promise to visit Seoul along with the issue of relations between the DPRK and the new Bush administration in the US would be on the agenda. The trip was seen by analysts as an attempt to seek PRC approval and guidance ahead of the inter-Korean summit. ("NKOREAN LEADER IN SHANGHAI ON SECOND SECRET VISIT TO CHINA," Shanghai, 1/16/01) (Joe McDonald, "NKOREA LEADER ON SECRET CHINA VISIT," Shanghai 1/16/01)
New York Times reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, arrived in Shanghai on January 16 via a special train to Beijing from Pyongyang on January 15. A Shanghai hotel confirmed that Kim had checked in, but the PRC Foreign Ministry, the DPRK Embassy in Beijing, and the Foreign Affairs Bureau of Shanghai all said that they knew nothing of a visit by Kim. However, the ROK JoongAng Ilbo, said 20 high-ranking officials, including Jo Myong Rok, head of the DPRK General Political Department, had accompanied Kim. The Kyodo news agency in Japan quoted a government source in the ROK as having said Kim was discussing with PRC leaders relations with the ROK and the US under the Bush administration. [Ed. note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for January 17, 2001.] (Craig S. Smith, "NORTH KOREAN LEADER MAKES TRIP TO SHANGHAI," Shanghai, 1/17/01)
Chosun Ilbo reported that DPRK sources said on January 15 that Kim Jong-il started a surprise visit to the PRC. The source said the DPRK leader arrived in Beijing by train on January 14 and is expected to meet PRC leaders to discuss important issues including economic problems, inter-Korean developments and policies to deal with the new US administration. However, officials at the ROK ministry of foreign affairs and trade said they had no information to back Kim's visit to the PRC. ("KIM JONG IL RUMORED VISITING BEIJING," Seoul, 01/16/01)