The South Korean government insists the raft of sanctions on North Korea are having the
desired effect at this point.
However, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon says there's a need to closely monitor the
situation... as the sanctions could hurt ordinary North Koreans... much more than its leadership
and the elite.
Kwon Jang-ho reports.
South Korea's unification minister suggested a bleak outlook for North Korea on Monday.
Speaking at a forum hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council, Minister Cho
Myoung-gyon described the potential damage recent international sanctions could have
on North Korea's economy.
He stated that almost 90-percent of the regime's 3-billion dollars' worth of exports will be
affected by the UN sanctions, as well as unilateral sanctions by the U.S.
He explained, in some instances, the North Korean economy could be even worse affected
than in the mid-nineties, when it suffered severe food shortages.
That period was dubbed the "Arduous March," and an estimated 3-million people died due
to the famine.
A repeat of an event that extreme is thought to be unlikely, but not impossible, with effects
of the sanctions already being seen.
(Korean) "If you look at Kim Jong-un's recent activities
and statements, he is emphasizing to the people self-reliance and bracing to resist the sanctions.
This shows that they are already having an impact.
This was reflected in Monday's state-run newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, which ran a statement calling
on the need for a "revolution of self-rehabilitation," adding that the North Korean army and people
will show the world their determination in the face of sanctions.
Observers also note however that if food shortages do occur, unlike in the past, the international
community might not be able to help.
(Korean) "In the nineties, the world was ready to support
North Korea with humanitarian aid, but with the current level of sanctions, even providing
aid could be troublesome."
The unification minister said, Seoul will keep a close eye on how hard the economic
difficulties hit the regime, and also on how Kim Jong-un and the North Korean public react
to the situation.
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News.
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