[Focus] N.Korea¡¯s new year message positive

The chief mouthpieces of North Korea, including the Rodong Sinmun speaking for the Workers¡¯ Party, on Jan. l published a joint editorial on the occasion of the New Year.

It called for the maintenance of the foundation of inter-Korean cooperation through a thorough implementation of the June 15 summit declaration, positive improvement of foreign relations and concentrated endeavor for economic recovery. The annual message defined the 21st century to be a century of Kim Jong-Il -- " a glorious century in which the great politics of Kim Jong-Il, which has been confirmed through the thick and thin of history, will come into full bloom."

Foreign relations:

The primary task of the goal of "marching under the Red socialist banner of the 21st century" to clear the path toward building a strong state this year will be "self-reliant politics." Heavy emphasis to be placed on foreign relations is evident in a pledge to "improve relations with any country that respects our independence and self-reliance."

Last year's new year message mentioned as its objectives political ties with South Korea, economic ties with the south and international relations in descending order. This year the order changed a little: politics, foreign relations, economy and inter-Korean relations. Attacks on the United States and Japan were rather muted. Probably, Pyongyang sought to avoid provoking the incoming Republican administration of President George W. Bush.

Relations with the South:

The joint editorial made it clear that the Pyongyang regime would stay on course toward inter-Korean reconciliation by stressing that "the basic requirement for the achievement of the unification of the fatherland is to thoroughly put into practice the June 15 joint statement."

Its promise to "seek a decisive advance in pursuit of the great task of the unification of the fatherland this year" might signify a strong offensive of North Korea to be launched on the unification front.

It reiterated its federal formula of Korean reunification but its moderate language that "if and when the entire Korean people are united and achieve harmony, that is unification" might be interpreted to mean Pyongyang is in favor of preserving the Korean division in a stable and peaceful state, rather than literal reunification.

Economy:

The message showed a deep commitment to economic rehabilitation by saying, "Greatest efforts need to be put into improving the standard of people's living, and nothing is more important than to solidify the competitive power of the nation to keep pace with the 21st century."

It put forward the resolution of energy shortages as the most urgent task of economic recovery by pointing out the necessity of electric power and coal mining as the greatest assets of building a socialist economy.

scooop@donga.com