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KEI Spotlight

APS with Andray Abrahamian

February 27, 2012

February 24, 2012 – Korea Economic Institute hosted an Academic Paper Series event featuring Andray Abrahamian, Executive Director of Choson Exchange. During the program, he discussed his analysis of the new developments in Rason and prospects for economic reform through this SEZ under the new leadership of Kim Jong-un.

Summary: Policies toward Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are often used as evidence of North Korea’s efforts to reform economically. Kim Jong-il’s trips to China and Russia along with China’s increasing interest in developing its northeastern provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang have put renewed focus on the Rason SEZ. A new road and new investment laws provide some hope that positive changes are occurring, but a history of economic policy relapses, big questions over the profitability of the SEZ, and the capability of reforms taking hold North Korea make the prospect for the Rason SEZ’s success uncertain.

To read a copy of Andray's paper, please click here.

To view photos of the event, please visit KEI's Flickr.

The program was covered by a couple Korean media sources:
'라선특구, 도로개선 놀라울 정도' – ISPlus
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“라선특구 기반시설에 더 많은 투자 필요”" – RFA