Kim Jong Un Urges Independent Development for Economy

News Summary

North Korean state media reported Tuesday that Kim Jong Un toured an offshore fishing farm being built in the eastern port city of Sinpho, urging regions to utilize their natural and economic resources to foster independent development.

"He repeatedly stressed the need to help all regions lay the foundations for developing independently by effectively developing and using their own natural and economic resources," the state media said.

Commentary

Kim's pursuit of economic self-sufficiency stems from his fear of losing control over his people should North Korea integrates into the global economy. He understands that such integration would expose his people to more external influences, outweighing the regime's indoctrination. Kim's primary objective is to preserve his power over the country's economic interests.

Moreover, North Korea has begun to cut economic, political, and cultural connections with South Korea as part of Kim's strategy to isolate his people. A recently strengthened alliance with Russia bolsters Kim's assurance in advancing North Korea's fragile economy without cooperation with the South.

This is part of the reason Kim Jong Un will not likely pursue negotiations with Trump to lift U.S.-led sanctions for economic development, as he believes he has found a way to bypass them.

However, he misses the fact that despite his cruel attempts to isolate his people, they are already heavily influenced by outside information, and the wave of information is unstoppable.