NK leader makes push for economy

By Kim Young-jin

North Korea appears to be accelerating its campaign to emerge as a “strong and prosperous” state by next year, with leader Kim Jong-il significantly increasing his visits to economy-related sites.

The North’s state media reported Kim showing up in public nine times in the first half of the month, a remarkable increase from his six for all of September. Most were visits to economic sites such as smelting and fertilizer plants and a mine.

The more frequent activity comes as the North prepares for 2012, its self-proposed deadline to become a “strong and prosperous” country to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its late founder Kim Il-sung that year.

Analysts say the fact that he is out and about attests to Kim regaining some of his strength, speculating that a strenuous summer had taken its toll on the 69-year-old leader. In July, he made 18 public appearances before embarking on a lengthy trip to Russia and China the next month.

Watchers say the regime’s ability to follow through on its pledge to become powerful _ or create such a perception _ is crucial as Kim transfers control to his youngest son, Jong-un. Others say Pyongyang is increasingly focused on a 10-year plan that aims to catapult the economy to an advanced level by 2020.

Though most say significant improvement in the North’s moribund economy is highly unlikely by next year, signs of stronger cooperation have recently sprung up.

It is apparently working to bolster infrastructure in its Rason special economic zone in a bid to attract foreign investment. Russian Railways recently test-launched a railway linking the zone to the Russian Far East and China is also heavily involved there.

Recent visitors to Pyongyang say it is rife with construction projects as it undergoes a facelift ahead of next year’s rebirth.