North Korea looks South and beyond

Reclusive state, with a growing middle class hungry for a better life, looks to the outside world as it shifts focus to economic development

Students look through virtual reality goggles as members of the foreign media on a tour of a teacher training college in Pyongyang look on. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
This undated picture released on Aug 17 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju inspecting the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area in Kangwon province. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Military officers sitting under signage marking the 70th anniversary of North Korea's founding during a parade celebrating its National Day in Pyongyang on Sept 9. PHOTO: EPA/EFE, REUTERS
High-rise buildings in Pyongyang, in a photo taken on Sept 11 this year.
PHOTO: EPA/EFE, REUTERS
Employee welfare is taken into consideration by a silk factory in Pyongyang. There are creche services (above) and a swimming pool. Pressure is building up with the growth of a group of elites who appreciate the finer luxuries of life. PHOTO: EPA/EFE
Employee welfare is taken into consideration by a silk factory in Pyongyang. There are creche services and a swimming pool (above). Pressure is building up with the growth of a group of elites who appreciate the finer luxuries of life. PHOTO: EPA/EFE
Banking on beauty and tourism: Staff at a cosmetics factory. PHOTO: EPA/EFE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
An event celebrating the country's National Day and 70th anniversary of its founding. PHOTO: EPA/EFE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Employees of Ryo Won Footwear Factory at work in Pyongyang. North Korea's economy shrank 3.5 per cent last year - the worst since 1997 - as exports of coal, steel, fisheries and textiles plunged due to bans, and as China and Russia were pressured to enforce sanctions on it. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Medallions commemorating the historic inter-Korea summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held in April, on display in Seoul. Hopes are rising that Mr Moon can resolve the nuclear deadlock as he sits down with Mr Kim over three days, starting today, in Pyongyang to discuss both denuclearisation and cross-border collaboration. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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It's the economy, stupid!

This Bill Clinton mantra for the 1992 United States presidential election campaign can surely be adopted as well by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who is pivoting towards the economy, away from nuclear and missile testing.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 18, 2018, with the headline North Korea looks South and beyond. Subscribe