North Korea 1978: The Beginning of the Final Push

Abstract

IN RESPONSE TO the South Korean proposal of June 23, 1978, for economic cooperation between the North and South, the North Koreans replied in a July 1 editorial in Nodong Sinmun that there is nothing they need that the South Koreans can offer except perhaps some pork. Nothing more was said about this by the South Koreans. Thus the question of reunification has reached a ludicrous point. Cities and countryside in the North are littered with signs that say there is nothing in the world they envy, but their trade deficit says otherwise. They seem to want far more from others than others want from them. In February 1978 the North Koreans pleaded with the Japanese to delay once again requiring North Korea to repay of its debts. The South Koreans may do well to consider paying some of their northern brethren's debts from their trade surplus, if they are serious about reunification. The North Koreans are sure to appreciate it more than the pork. Significant effort was made toward economic development in 1978. It was the first year of the second seven-year economic plan, and success or failure of the plan depended much on the performance of the first year. It was also a busy year that saw the arrival of the largest number of foreign heads-of-state, including Hua Kuo-feng of China, ever to visit the North in a single year. It was not only Hua's first sojourn abroad, but the first visit to the North by a Chinese head of state. Ten others also visited the North, including France Albert Rene of the Republic of Seychelles, mostly to support North Korean efforts in the nonaligned nations conference. The 30th anniversary of the founding of the Republic was celebrated with 110 foreign delegations represent-