Reforms in North Korea

[bunk]

accordin to a guardian article i read North Korea started reforms back in 2002 such as letting markets open and small-scale privatisation. Will North Korea just collapse like the Soviet Union?

[Enver Hoxha]

I think the North Koreans (or rather Kim) would prefer a 'China solution' to their problems rather than collapsing officially.

Your right these 'reforms' began in 2002, and they follow a similar policy to that of China in the late 1970's. I.e. opening up various areas to foriegn investment and such. These are known as 'Special Economic Zones' I think. Not a good sign for what was left of Socialism in North Korea. It may be true that this is needed (ala NEP in 1921) but I have a funny feeling in ten years time the elite in the DPRK will be relatively happy in keeping McDonalds and KFC. Kim Jong II's main aim is national reunification, if he wants to acheive that he feels this is the best way to go about it. Unfournatly U$ Imperialism isn't in a mood to allow that.

DPRK never really built Socialism to begin with, now the workers in DPRK are looking at massive increases in prices for goods while wages stay the same (relatively anyway), and Kim aint helping no one by giving holidays to Neo-Nazi terriorists.

[bunk]

all the interviews with North Korean people i see they say that they want a socialist system. I think that there is no hope though really and it will turn into another China. But, many people say that China just isn't ready for socialism that is why they turned back into a capitalist state.

[Salvador Allende]

well, I sincerly hope Democratic Korea doesn't sell out. China and the USSR both went into state-capitalism after a leader died, in China's case it was after Mao died and Jiang Qing was arrested, in the USSR's case it was after Koba died and Malenkov and Khruschov took over. Both countries were certainly ready for Socialism, but they were corrupted by the bourgeois after a good leader died. Once Socialism occurs, the bourgeois will still be around and will try to regain power, this is a given unless you kill off all of them or find another way.

[Edward Norton]

and Kim aint helping no one by giving holidays to Neo-Nazi terriorists.

Please elaborate on this. Is North Korea starting to fund far right groups? Like many Arab sates did a while back?

[Don't Change Your Name]

Originally posted by [email protected] 29 2004, 02:00 PM
But, many people say that China just isn't ready for socialism that is why they turned back into a capitalist state.
Sort of.

Note that most "communist" governments happened in underdeveloped countries.

[kingbee]

i would say, if anything, china is now less "ready" for its form of maoist socialism, due to the numbers flocking to the cities. i do not think that anywhere "is not ready" for socialism.

and regarding the marketing reforms- i think its very minor. there is a very small scale free market in one city in dprk, with advertisments for korean made fiat cars also in the area.

i am off to visit in the summer, so will see for myself.

[Hate Is Art]

Calling DRPK Socialist is offensive, the place holds little to no Socialist values anymore. Kim has completly warped their minds, totatitarianist states are disgusting!

[left-nut]

Whoa, so that would make Cuba the only socialist country right now.

[Frederick_Engles]

lol it is