朝鲜商业月刊 ： 2016 年 1 月

DPRK Business Monthly Volume VII, No. 1, January 2016

Key Developments:

1. International AFP Expansion:

• Agence France-Presse (AFP) has signed an agreement with Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) to establish an office in North Korea's capital, Pyongyang.
• The new office aims to enhance AFP's global presence by providing photo, video, and text news content, scheduled to be operational by mid-2016.
• Emmanuel Hoog, CEO and chairman of AFP, emphasizes the importance of being present worldwide to report news comprehensively.

2. Russia's Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) Focus:

• The GTI is gaining significance as Russia pivots towards Asia and focuses on developing the Far East.
• It serves as the sole intergovernmental economic cooperation mechanism in Northeast Asia.
• Key priorities include transportation, trade, investment, energy, and tourism, alongside environmental projects.

3. Russian Strategic Interests:

• Vladivostok Free Port expansion, offering visa-free entry, is pivotal for enhancing connectivity and economic ties.
• Strategic interests encompass:
  • Development of the Russian Far East.
  • Reducing dependency on China in trade ($88.1 billion accounted for by China in 2014).
  • Balancing regional economics to facilitate a more efficient approach to the Korean Peninsula issues.

4. North Korea's Role in GTI:

• North Korea's withdrawal in 2009 due to unfulfilled financial assistance hopes.
• Future cooperation potential includes science, information technologies, shipbuilding, and agriculture.
• Consideration for establishing a committee for innovation-driven growth to align with GTI goals and objectives.

5. Russia's GTI Strategy:

• Inclusion of higher-level representatives to streamline project implementation.
• Expansion of financing channels and project scope, targeting new areas like science, IT, shipbuilding, and agriculture.
• Facilitating exchanges of experiences with other regional platforms, notably APEC, to enhance cooperation.

6. North Korea's Interest in Economic Zones:

• North Korea's increasing interest in free economic zones (FEZs) aligns with GTI's priority sectors.
• Legislation encourages investment in infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and internationally competitive goods.
• 13 EDPs were created in 2013, with plans for six more, totaling 24 zones across various sectors.

Conclusion: The report highlights significant developments in international media presence in North Korea, Russia's strategic focus on economic cooperation in Northeast Asia through the GTI, and North Korea's interest in economic zones, demonstrating potential for enhanced regional collaboration and economic development.