Ministry of Unification: "North Korea Highlights Economy at Plenary Meeting... Outcome Uncertain"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Unification stated that although North Korea set economic improvement as an immediate task at the recent plenary meeting earlier this month, it remains uncertain whether any tangible results will be achieved. The ministry has set the re-promotion of the Korean Peninsula peace process as its work goal for this year.

On the 18th, during a briefing to the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee, the Ministry of Unification evaluated the recently held 2nd plenary meeting, saying, "Considering the worsening external trade situation, it is uncertain what kind of results can be produced."

The Ministry of Unification explained, "Under the global pandemic situation, inter-Korean exchanges have been suspended, and human and material exchanges between North Korea and China and Russia have also significantly decreased. Meanwhile, North Korea is focusing on responding to domestic issues such as quarantine and the economy," adding that North Korea highlighted economic improvement at the Central Committee plenary meeting held earlier this month.

The ministry further stated, "(The plenary meeting) emphasized achieving the best possible outcomes in economic construction and improving people's livelihoods in feasible sectors such as agriculture and construction despite difficult economic conditions and emergency quarantine situations," but projected that despite employing measures such as criticism of performance targets and strengthening control and adjustment, the results remain uncertain.

It was interpreted that North Korea's mention only of "thorough implementation of this year's confirmed goals and plans" in the areas of inter-Korean, US relations, and military industry, without revealing specific content or policy directions, reflects a strategic stance to maintain a posture of responding correspondingly according to the direction of South Korea-US policies toward North Korea.

The Ministry of Unification viewed that at the 8th Party Congress, North Korea emphasized ▲ prioritizing fundamental issues resolution related to South Korea and the US ▲ withdrawal of hostile policies, and further suggested the possibility of conditional relationship improvement.

Regarding the Biden administration, the ministry assessed, "It is currently reviewing its North Korea policy, sending cautious messages toward North Korea while considering alliance importance and humanitarian perspectives."

The Ministry of Unification stated, "With the US presidential election and the North Korean Party Congress, we have entered a turning point in the situation, and with the emergence of a new South Korea-US approach to North Korea, there is a possibility of further changes in the situation," adding, "Consistent efforts are necessary so that the situation on the Korean Peninsula does not regress to a tense phase but moves toward a peaceful situation through the restoration of inter-Korean relations."

As future policy directions, the ministry announced plans to shift the phase of inter-Korean relations based on three principles (no war, mutual security assurance, and common prosperity), and to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process by utilizing opportunities such as the South Korea-US summit and the Tokyo Olympics. It also set goals including promoting North Korea-US relations based on South Korea-US cooperation, securing support from neighboring countries, as well as the parliamentary ratification of the Panmunjom Declaration and public discussion of the National Unification Agreement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.