YONHAP NEWS

(LEAD) Kim Jong-il expresses intention to follow Vietnam's Doi Moi: report

   HONG KONG, Oct. 28 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has expressed an intention to benchmark Vietnam's two decades-old reform and openness policy "Doi Moi", a local weekly magazine reported Sunday, as the North's economic plight continues, aggravated by economic sanctions imposed by Western countries over its nuclear weapons ambitions.

   Vietnam has pursued the reform and openness policy since 1986 to introduce a market economy, including liberalization of trade and finance with foreign countries to a certain degree, and is enjoying rapid economic growth.

   Kim made the remark while meeting with Nong Duc Manh, secretary-general of Vietnam's Communist Party, in Pyongyang last week, the weekly Yazhou Zhoukan said in its Sunday edition, citing an interview with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem who accompanied the Vietnamese secretary general to the North Korean capital.

   "Chairman Kim Jong-il highly evaluated the achievements Vietnam's Doi Moi has made in the past 20 years while meeting with Secretary General Manh," Khiem said, adding Kim Jong-il has accepted Manh's proposal for Kim's visit to Hanoi.

   The ongoing visit to Hanoi by North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong-il aims to prepare for Kim Jong-il's visit to Vietnam, the magazine said.

   The North Korean premier, who arrived in Hanoi Friday, visited a coal mine and Halong Bay, one of the hottest tourist attractions for foreigners in Vietnam, asked local officials about the operation of the mine and tourist resort development project, according to Vietnamese sources in Hanoi.

   Kim and his entourage also visited the planning and investment ministry to hold discussions with officials there on Vietnam's reform and openness, the sources said.
Diplomatic sources here said it is remarkable that Kim Jong-il expressed interest in Doi Moi, although North Korea is unlikely to closely follow the program of reform and openness having been pursued by Vietnam.

   North Korea might want to adopt the reform model of Vietnam amid reports that China has shown a lukewarm attitude to North Korea's efforts to build special economic zones near the North's border with China, analysts said.

   The Vietnamese communist party leader made a three-day visit to Pyongyang last week to have talks in a "comradely, sincere and friendly atmosphere," according to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. Details of the talks have yet to be revealed.

   Vietnam and North Korea maintain their strong relations, although the former has shifted to a market economy since the mid-1980s. Hanoi's reform is seen by many as a model for North Korea's underdeveloped economy to emulate. Chief U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill said during a visit there in May that North Korea should "move on in the way that Vietnam has done so well."
North Korea reportedly sent troops to help communist North Vietnam fight against the U.S. and the U.S.-backed South Vietnam during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s.

   hdh@yna.co.kr
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