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In today's Report:
1. DPRK Adopts De Facto Market Economy in Najin-Sonbong
The DPRK recently reported to the UNDP of their economic
liberalization and reform plan in the Najin-Sonbong SEZ. The plan is
comprised of eleven articles and includes proposals for currency
reform, permission for citizens to run private businesses and freely
trade goods, the establishment of a free market in the border town of
Wonjong-li, the privatization of government owned businesses, and a
cut in government subsidies. Observers view such reform plans as a de
facto adoption of a market economy and demonstrated concerns of its
impacts. (Joong-ang Ilbo, "DPRK TO PERMIT PRIVATE BUSINESS IN NAJIN-
SONBONG," 06/16/97)
2. Taiwan to Purchase 2,000 Rocket Launchers from France
The Taiwanese defense ministry announced through local media on June
15 of their plan to purchase two thousand anti-tank rocket launchers
from France. The announcement came despite the 1994 PRC-France
agreement on arms embargo to Taiwan. The report, quoting an anonymous
senior official in the defense force, said that the proposed deal is
likely to be completed because the rocket launchers are classified as
"general" military equipment. Neither the name of the exporter nor
the cost of the purchase were disclosed. (Kyunghyang Shinmun, "TAIWAN
TO PURCHASE ANTI-TANK MISSILE LAUNCHERS FROM FRANCE," 06/16/97)
3. ROK Food Aid Continue in DPRK
The ROK's first shipment of corn in relief aid to the DPRK, which
began last Thursday, resumed yesterday in three areas bordering the
North and China. It is expected that the last of the 11,200 tons of
corn will be delivered to the DPRK by June 19, with the second
shipment of 17,600 tons of corn scheduled to begin the following day.
According to Lee Kye-bok of the South Korean National Red Cross
(KNRC), who is overseeing the transportation of the food aid from
Tumen to Namyang, "There were some unseen delays in the beginning due
to railroad conditions in China but these have returned to normal. As
of Sunday, 1,980 tons or 50 percent of the first shipment of four
thousand tons to Namyang have reached the city." (Joong-ang Ilbo,
"FOOD DELIVERY TO NORTH KOREA RETURNS TO NORMAL," 06/16/97)
4. ROK President to Visit Mexico
ROK President Kim Young-sam will visit Mexico June 26-28, the Mexican
Foreign Ministry announced Friday. Accompanied by business leaders,
President Kim is scheduled to hold discussions on bilateral trade and
investment with President Ernesto Cedillo. This is Kim's first visit
to Mexico, and is the second ROK presidential visit following that of
Roh Tae-woo in 1991. Last year President Cedillo visited Seoul and
signed agreements on the mutual extradition of criminals and
cooperation on tourism. Trade between the two countries reached its
highest level last year, totaling US$1.95 billion. (Chosun Ilbo, "KIM
YOUNG-SAM TO VISIT MEXICO," 06/16/97)
5. US and Japanese Views on Timetable of Korean Unification
A joint survey by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun of Japan and the Wall
Street Journal of the US found that about 40 percent of Americans and
Japanese share the view that both Koreas will not be reunited soon.
Of the 1,200 adults surveyed in each country last month, 41.3 percent
and 42 percent of the respective populations replied negatively in
respect to Korean peninsula unification in the immediate future.
Nevertheless, 37.5 percent of Americans and 30.5 percent of Japanese
believe that the Korean peninsula will be united within the next five
to 20 years, while 6.6 percent of Americans and 11.2 percent of
Japanese feel it will take more than 20 years for the two countries to
unite. (Joong-ang Ilbo, "40 PERCENT OF AMERICANS, JAPANESE CONSIDER
UNIFICATION OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA UNLIKELY," 06/16/97)
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Wade Huntley: napsnet@nautilus.org
Choi Chung-moon: cily@star.elim.net
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Chunsi Wu: dlshen@fudan.ihep.ac.cn
Dingli Shen: dlshen@fudan.ihep.ac.cn
Hiroyasu Akutsu: akutsu@glocomnet.or.jp
1. DPRK Adopts De Facto Market Economy in Najin-Sonbong
2. Taiwan to Purchase 2,000 Rocket Launchers from France
3. ROK Food Aid Continue in DPRK
4. ROK President to Visit Mexico
5. US and Japanese Views on Timetable of Korean Unification
I. Republic of Korea
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