ID :
38295
Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/38295
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea to promote young economic elite in 2009: report
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will refresh its parliament with promotions of young economic elite in 2009, laying the groundwork for the post-Kim Jong-il era, a South Korean state-run think tank said.
Economic pragmatism may emerge in the North to replace the military-first policy,
a ruling philosophy promulgated by current leader Kim Jong-il, according the
latest report by the Institute for National Security Strategy, which is an arm of
the National Intelligence Agency.
Uncertainty over the North Korean regime deepened this past year amid reports
that Kim may be in bad health after suffering a stroke.
Kim's health has been a subject of keen attention as he has not publicly
nominated a successor.
Between July and August, the Presidium of the North Korean Supreme People's
Assembly may hold an election to promote new economic highfliers, it said.
"In the assembly, some of the elderly members are expected to step down and
younger ones advance forward, and there will be an increased presence of economic
elite and 'diligent heroes' who have led by example in economic projects," it
said.
The election did not take place in 2008, when the assembly members' five-year
term expired. The current 687 representatives were elected in 2003.
When a new assembly is inaugurated, the representatives customarily reshuffle the
Cabinet. They also reconfirm Kim Jong-il as chairman of the National Defense
Commission, which oversees the North's 1.1-million-strong military, followed by a
military shakeup.
A Seoul government official expected the election is likely in 2009, during which
some major events are expected so as to boost unity in the North Korean regime.
But promotions of young economic elite have been customary in recent years, the
unification ministry official well-versed in North Korean politics said on
condition of anonymity.
"It is the Workers' Party and the military that set the policy direction, and the
assembly executes their policies. Even if its representatives change, that
doesn't mean a policy shift," the official said.
The report also expected North Korea will reach out to China and the United
States to draw food and economic aid, but the stalemate in its relations with
South Korea will continue in the new year.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
Economic pragmatism may emerge in the North to replace the military-first policy,
a ruling philosophy promulgated by current leader Kim Jong-il, according the
latest report by the Institute for National Security Strategy, which is an arm of
the National Intelligence Agency.
Uncertainty over the North Korean regime deepened this past year amid reports
that Kim may be in bad health after suffering a stroke.
Kim's health has been a subject of keen attention as he has not publicly
nominated a successor.
Between July and August, the Presidium of the North Korean Supreme People's
Assembly may hold an election to promote new economic highfliers, it said.
"In the assembly, some of the elderly members are expected to step down and
younger ones advance forward, and there will be an increased presence of economic
elite and 'diligent heroes' who have led by example in economic projects," it
said.
The election did not take place in 2008, when the assembly members' five-year
term expired. The current 687 representatives were elected in 2003.
When a new assembly is inaugurated, the representatives customarily reshuffle the
Cabinet. They also reconfirm Kim Jong-il as chairman of the National Defense
Commission, which oversees the North's 1.1-million-strong military, followed by a
military shakeup.
A Seoul government official expected the election is likely in 2009, during which
some major events are expected so as to boost unity in the North Korean regime.
But promotions of young economic elite have been customary in recent years, the
unification ministry official well-versed in North Korean politics said on
condition of anonymity.
"It is the Workers' Party and the military that set the policy direction, and the
assembly executes their policies. Even if its representatives change, that
doesn't mean a policy shift," the official said.
The report also expected North Korea will reach out to China and the United
States to draw food and economic aid, but the stalemate in its relations with
South Korea will continue in the new year.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
