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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 SEOUL 001879 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EFIN EINV ENRG ETRD KN
SUBJECT: NORTH KOREA ECONOMIC BRIEFING - NOVEMBER 2009 
 
¶1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified and not/not 
intended for Internet distribution. 
 
------------- 
In This Issue 
------------- 
 
-- Cabinet Considers New Economic Campaign 
-- Economic "Informationalization" Declared Key to Success 
-- DPRK Modernizes Steel Complex 
-- English Classes in Pyongyang Gaining Popularity 
-- UN Experts Allege Evades Sanctions 
-- China Approves Tumen River Development 
-- China Stops Publishing DPRK Trade Figures 
-- DPRK-Hong Kong Trade from January to September 2009 Surges 
-- ROKG Tightens Import Procedures of DPRK Sand, Anthracite and 
Mushrooms 
-- Inter-Korean Trade Rises for Two Straight Months 
-- ROKG Sets Aside Budget for DPRK Aid 
-- ROKG Supports DPRK Environmental Improvement 
-- U.S. NGO Helps DPRK Housing Project 
-- French NGO Helps Anti-DPRK Radio Stations 
 
Domestic Economy 
---------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Cabinet Considers New Economic Campaign:  North Korea's 
cabinet recently discussed plans for the "100-day campaign" to boost 
steel production, according to the North's state-run daily, Minju 
Chosun on October 27.  This campaign was launched in late September, 
which followed immediately after the end of the 150-day campaign. 
The original 150-day campaign was an effort launched by the DPRK in 
April 2009 to establish an economically powerful country by 2012. 
The cabinet members also discussed accelerating the construction of 
large and medium-sized power plants to address persistent 
electricity shortages.  North Korea's Premier, Kim Yong-il, said 
that if the 100-day campaign is a success by year's end, it will be 
a "great revolutionary turning point." 
 
¶3. (SBU) Economic "Informationalization" Declared Key to Success: 
In a recent edition of Chollima (an influential DPRK monthly 
magazine), the DPRK emphasized "informationalization" in economic 
management and activities in order to become an "economic power." 
In its article titled "Informationalization of Economic Management 
and Administrative Activity," it stated that "in order to meet the 
demands for science and technology development in the era of the 
information industry, improvement of socialist economic management 
has emerged as an important issue."  The article also noted that 
while construction of basic facilities was an urgent task, computers 
and IT resources should be a priority in order to "informationalize" 
economic management and administrative activities.  The government 
should then modernize communication equipment.  Further development 
of basic management systems in education, information theory 
research, systems engineering, legal administration, and other 
economic science fields would also be necessary.  North Korea's 
state-run Rodong Sinmun has also recently emphasized 
"informationalization," referring to the current era as the 
"information economy age" and the "informationalization age." 
 
¶4. (SBU) DPRK Modernizes Steel Complex:  Chosun Sinbo, a pro-North 
Korea newspaper based in Japan reported November 20 that North 
Korea's largest steel mill, Kim Chaek Steel General Complex (KCSGC) 
has recently modernized.  KCSGC claims to have produced pig iron 
with domestically produced fuels such as anthracite and lignite, 
whereas in the past, it had to import coal for fuel.  According to 
Chong Yong-choon, manager of the steel mill complex, "KCSGC has 
successfully solved technical problems enabling production of pig 
iron by operating a large-sized blast furnace."  Chong also said 
KCSGC plans to install a larger blast furnace by 2012.  In addition, 
a large-sized oxygen generator was installed to improve furnace 
efficiency.  The DPRK is currently refurbishing the largest furnace 
at the KCSGC.  Chosun Sinbo claims that the KCSGC in November 2009 
will produce the largest volume of steel in recent years. 
 
¶5. (SBU) English Classes in Pyongyang Gaining Popularity:  Many 
North Koreans living in Pyongyang have enrolled in foreign-language 
classes offered at the Grand People's Study House, according to a 
 
SEOUL 00001879  002 OF 004 
 
 
recent monthly magazine published by the Chosun Sinbo.  English is 
the most popular foreign language, followed by Chinese and Russian. 
North Korean authorities plan to introduce more English courses to 
meet the soaring demand.  DPRK expert, Dr. Cheong Seong-chang at the 
ROK Sejong Institute, said English is a major tool that enables 
North Koreans to earn cash abroad.  Cheong went on to say that, "In 
North Korea, men involved in foreign trade and export industries are 
considered the most eligible bachelors since they work closely with 
Europeans and Southeast Asians and therefore need to speak English 
when doing business."  Cheong also speculated the popularity of 
English as a second language could be related to the anticipated 
next leader's (Kim Jung-un, third son of Kim Jong-il who has spent 
several years overseas) personal traits and ambitions. 
 
¶6. (SBU) UN Experts Allege DPRK Evades Sanctions:  According to a 
recent report released by the United Nations panel responsible for 
implementing UN Security Council Resolutions pertaining to the DPRK, 
the DPRK continues to evade UN sanctions and import luxury goods for 
its leadership.  In July 2009, Italy blocked the sale of two yachts 
destined for North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.  Generally, North 
Korean companies and banks circumvent UN sanctions by conducting 
business through subsidiaries.  The report said illicit arms sales 
have increasingly become one of the country's principal sources of 
foreign currency.  The six-person UN panel said the DPRK exported 
arms to Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, 
yet only a small percentage of North Korea's arms trade has been 
reported.  The UN experts group will continue to monitor North 
Korea's implementation of the UNSCR and plans to finalize its report 
in May 2010 by drawing up a list of North Korean firms, individuals 
and goods to be added to the sanctions program. 
 
 
Foreign Trade and Investment 
---------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) China Approves Tumen River Development:  The Chinese 
government has approved development of the Tumen River Delta to 
boost cross-border cooperation in the Northeast Asian region, 
according to China Daily.  In 1995, China, Russia, the DPRK, the 
ROK, and Mongolia ratified the agreement on the Establishment of the 
Cooperation Commission for the Tumen River Economic Development Area 
supported by the United Nations Development Program.  Japan 
participated as an observer.  In 2005, the five countries agreed to 
extend the agreement for another ten years and expand the area to 
the Greater Tumen Region in an effort to strengthen cooperation for 
economic growth and 
sustainable development.  The Tumen River basin runs along North 
Korea, China and Russia's borders and is the center of Northeast 
Asia transportation and trade, according to the ROK-based daily, 
Hankyoreh.  The plan includes the development of a 
Changchun-Jilin-Tumen (all in China) economic belt, which would be 
facilitated by new high-speed rail service between Tumen and 
Changchun and a highway connecting Jilin with Rason and Chongjin in 
the DPRK.  There are also plans for an oil refinery in Hunchun 
(China) that would process 10 million tons per year.  A delegation 
of DPRK scholars who attended a recent seminar at China's Yanbian 
University regarding the Tumen River project expressed great 
interest in the project.  However, a South Korean expert voiced 
concerns that China intends to pull the DPRK into its economic 
sphere through the Tumen River Development project and other recent 
economic initiatives.  China has already agreed to build a new 
bridge over the Amnok (Yalu) River, which would aid development of 
China's three Northeastern provinces, including Jilin, by easing 
access to North Korea's natural resources.  It would also secure a 
distribution route that includes Rason and Chongjin (DPRK). 
 
¶8. (SBU) China Stops Publishing DPRK Trade Figures:  According to 
the Chinese Customs Office (CCO), China has stopped publishing 
bilateral trade figures of the DPRK.  Previously, the CCO released 
China's trade figures with the DPRK on a monthly basis. However, in 
its release on November 10, destination and origin statistics on 
China's imports and exports for September, 2009 gave no separate 
numbers for the DPRK, for the second straight month since August, 
¶2009.  A Chinese official at the CCO said without further 
clarification, "We are no longer issuing trade data regarding the 
DPRK."  Thus, CCO produces monthly bilateral figures with all 
countries except the DPRK.  Analysts have used Chinese statistics to 
gauge economic ties between China and the DPRK. 
 
SEOUL 00001879  003 OF 004 
 
 
 
¶9. (SBU) DPRK-Hong Kong Trade from January to September 2009 Surges: 
 Hong Kong's two-way trade with the DPRK from January to September 
2009 totaled USD 23.2 million, almost double that of 2008, according 
to recent figures released by the Hong Kong Trade Development 
Council.  Hong Kong's exports to the DPRK in the period amounted to 
USD 22.1 million, a 247 percent increase from 2008, while imports 
from the DPRK totaled USD 1.1 million, a 30 percent drop.  Major 
items that Hong Kong shipped to the DPRK included pharmaceuticals, 
measuring instruments, telecommunication equipment, and electronics. 
 Imported goods included gold, silver, fresh vegetables, cigarettes 
and watches. 
 
 
Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶10. (SBU) ROKG Tightens Import Procedures of DPRK Sand, Anthracite 
and Mushrooms:  The Ministry of Unification (MOU) announced October 
27 that it will tighten procedures for importing sand, anthracite, 
and mushrooms from the DPRK.  These items will now require MOU 
approval prior to leaving the North.  Previously, ROK importers of 
these items reported to the ROK Customs Service when these goods 
reached the border.  The MOU believes these new measures will 
improve transparency in inter-Korean trade.   Sand was the largest 
import item from the DPRK, while anthracite was the ninth largest in 
¶2008. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Inter-Korean Trade Rises for Two Straight Months: 
Inter-Korean trade rose for the second straight month in October 
2009, according to figures released by the MOU.  Trade between the 
two Koreas in October 2009 rose six percent to USD 173 million. 
South Korea's exports to the DPRK rose 12 percent to USD 72 million, 
while imports from the DPRK increased two percent to USD 101 
million.  The MOU indicated that the upward trend can be attributed 
to continuing recovery in global trade conditions since July 2009 
and improved inter-Korean relations due to Inter-Korean Red Cross 
talks and reunion of separated families at Mount Geumgang in October 
¶2009.  Cross-border restrictions were also removed on September 1, 
¶2009. 
 
 
Foreign Aid 
----------- 
 
¶12. (SBU) ROKG Sets Aside Budget for DPRK Aid:  According to the 
2010 budget submitted to the National Assembly on November 13, MOU 
will allocate 1.18 trillion won (USD 1.02 billion) for aid to the 
DPRK.  While the MOU has announced that there is no immediate plan 
to resume aid to the DPRK, the MOU's budget contains funding for 
humanitarian aid projects.  USD 532 million, (a 14.2 percent 
decrease from this year; USD 621 million due to lower international 
grain prices) out of the total budget for humanitarian aid, has been 
allocated for the possible resumption of rice (400,000 metric tons) 
and fertilizer (300,000 metric tons) aid to the DPRK.  Such 
large-scale aid shipments were suspended after President Lee 
Myung-bak took office in early 2008.  NOTE: When aid is allocated 
but not spent, such as in 2008, the funds stay in the Inter-Korean 
Cooperation Fund for future use. 
 
¶13. (SBU) ROKG Supports DPRK Environmental Improvement:  South 
Korea's Ministry of Environment (MOE) plans to contribute USD 
850,000 to the Environment Trust Fund operated by the United Nations 
Environmental Program (UNEP) to improve the environment in the DPRK. 
 The MOE had previously contributed USD 850,000 to the UNEP Fund in 
2007 for such work in the DPRK.  The fund will go toward improving 
the water quality of the Daedong River, construction of eco-friendly 
houses, and training environmental management specialists in the 
DPRK. 
 
¶14. (SBU) U.S. NGO Helps DPRK Housing Project:  In a November 11 
ground-breaking ceremony near Pyongyang, the U.S.-based Fuller 
Center for Housing launched a partnership with North Korea's 
Paektusan Academy of Architecture (PAA) to build 50 new houses.  The 
PAA will help manage the project, while professionals from the 
United States and North Korea will work together to develop energy 
efficient and environmentally sensitive housing plans. 
 
 
SEOUL 00001879  004 OF 004 
 
 
¶15. (SBU) French NGO Helps Anti-DPRK Radio Stations:  According to 
the November 14 Voice of America, Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF), a 
France-based NGO, plans to contribute USD 380,000 to three radio 
programs based in the ROK -- Open Radio for North Korea, Free North 
Korea Radio and Radio Free Chosun.  The stations all produce and 
transmit shortwave programs into North Korea.  The funds will be 
spent on program production, shortwave transmission and personnel. 
 
 
STEPHENS