THE OTHER KOREAN CRISIS While Kim Jong Il blusters, the North's economy edges closer to collapse. That's just what scares Seoul most

As Kim Jong ll, the ruler of North Korea, enjoys his latest moment on the world stage, millions obsess about him as the great villain, the nuclear psycho. Such obsessions are warranted, for Kim is a dangerous man. But lost in the discussion is an equally important fact. Kim is also the master of a f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bloomberg businessweek (Online) 2003-01 (3816), p.44
Main Author: Moon Ihlwan in Seoul and Brian Bremner in Tokyo
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Dictators
Economic conditions
Economic forecasts
Foreign policy
Kim Jong Il
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Summary:As Kim Jong ll, the ruler of North Korea, enjoys his latest moment on the world stage, millions obsess about him as the great villain, the nuclear psycho. Such obsessions are warranted, for Kim is a dangerous man. But lost in the discussion is an equally important fact. Kim is also the master of a failed state. Kim is trying to save that economy - and his regime - with the only tool he has. Trouble is, reviving this economy would be the biggest salvage job in Asia today - assuming it can be done at all. The Korea watchers see 4 possible scenarios. Two of them are grim. The other two have semi-happy endings, but they will take a big dose of luck and skill to pull off: 1. the North muddles through, 2. outright collapse, 3. the North reforms, and 4. gradual merger with the South.
ISSN:0007-7135
2162-657X