Dear Ms Deborah Annells, Chairman of Asia Committee,
Dear friends,
It is my great pleasure and
honour to be with you, distinguished figures in the Hong Kong business community, and have
a chance to brief about my country to you.
First of all, please allow me to
express my deep thanks to all of you including Hon. Chairman Ms Deborah Annells for your
kind invitation to the Committee's luncheon meeting.
I am convinced that today's
meeting will surely deepen understanding between us and serveas a good occasion in
promoting economic co-operation and exchange between the DPR of Korea and Hong Kong.
I can list a number of
potentialities and conditions favourable to the development of economic co-operation and
exchange between my country and Hong Kong.
The government of the DPRK has
been pursuing an consistent policy that fully ensures development of economic relations
with all foreign countries and regions in the principle offriendship, equality and mutual
benefits.
Hong Kong, in particular, has
long been considered by our people as one of the most attractive points linking my country
with the other countries in the region as well as theworld, since its location and an
important role as one of the international financial centres and trading centres. In other
words, my government is placing a great importance to the development of economic
relations with Hong Kong in various fields.
At present, some people are
likely sceptical about the policy of my country. This is because they have little
knowledge and understanding about my country. However, the fact that they do not know much
about my country can not be a kind of hindrance to the future development of economic
relations.
Please allow me to brief about
the current situation in my country.
Politically, the situation in the
DPRK is quite stable. I think this is really important. The whole society is united in a
single-minded way around their great leader Comrade KIM JONG IL, Chairman of the DPRK
National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. We, Korean
people, feel proud of our socialist system which ensures a sound and happy life.
Militarily, the DPRK is fully
capable to defend the country from any invasion from outside. My country and people who
highly value the sovereignty and dignity of the nation as their life and blood will not
tolerate any body who would try to challenge the national sovereignty and dignity.
Economically, the DPRK has a
solid foundation of self-reliant economy based on its own human resources, natural
resources and its own technology. Here, I would like to draw yourattention to the fact
that the educational level of my country is really high thanks to the 11 -year compulsory
and free education system which was introduced in 1956 throughout the country.
Then, how is the economic
situation in the DPR of Korea at the moment? I can say that my country is experiencing a
hard time. Out of several reasons why the-DPR of Korea is experiencing a hard time, the
first reason should go to the economic sanctions imposed by the US in the last 50 years.
Secondly, the country has been hit by continuous naturaldisasters in the last several
years. Thirdly, the collapse of the socialist market has brought about serious aftermath
to our foreign trade.
We are facing hardships and
difficulties in many fields, but we have never been frustrated or disappointed. People in
my country have already turned out to build a powerful nation and good signs are being
found in many fields. You may find the slogan upheld by our people today quite optimistic.
The slogan reads "The road ahead of you is rough, but let's move forward with a
laugh". Our Korean people, from the ancient times, are inherited with a good
character, spirit and determination. So, the word of "impossible" is not working
on them.
In a word, the Korean people will
surely build their country into a powerful state near in future under the wise leadership
of their great leader Comrade KIM JONG IL, relying on the solid foundation of national
economy. The solid foundation of our national economy is an asset handed over to our
people by our late President Great Leader Comrade KIM IL SUNG. I am sure that your
co-operation in the fields of economy will be supporting our people in their efforts to
build a powerful nation. It will also contribute to the prosperity and stability in Asia
and Northeast Asia in particular.
In Korea, there is a saying that
"one time seeing is better than having heard one hundred times". That may be
equivalent to the English saying "Seeing is believing". Therefore, I have the
honour to advise you people, who are representing one of the most prominent business
communities in Hong Kong, to go to my country and study my country and find out more
business opportunities in person instead of relying on outside rumours about my country.
As the DPRK Consul General in Hong Kong, I will be pleased in providing facility to you
when you wish to go to my country.
Economic co-operation and
exchange between the DPRK and Hong Kong can be promoted in various ways.
The DPRK government encourages
foreign investment in various fields. At present there is a free economic zone in
Rajin-Sonbong area where you will be encouraged to invest in improvement of harbours,
roads, airport, telecommunication services and hotels.
The DPRK government also
encourages foreign investors in other areas of the DPRK.
Legal rights and interest of
foreign investors are fully protected by relevant laws andregulations of the DPRK.
Most preferential fields will be
those of mining industry and light industry.
If you people are interested in
promoting any projects in the fields mentioned above, I will try my best to establish a
kind of contact between your company and your potential partner in Korea.
I think people might find some
difficulties and inconveniences in using infrastructure in the DPRK, for instance,
communication facilities, transportation and electricity etc. However, I want you people
to become forerunners and builders of bridge linking between Hong Kong and the DPRK not
only for our own selves but also for our future generation. In other words, I encourage
you people to become pioneers in establishing business relations between Hong Kong and the
DPR of Korea.
Once again, I would like to
express my deep thanks to the Asia Committee for inviting me to the Committee and
providing me an opportunity to deepen our mutual understanding.
Closing my speech, I sincerely wish you, members of the Asia
Committee, a good health and greater success in your work to turn Hong Kong into a more
prosperous financial and trading centre.
Thank you.
For more
information about the leaflet "COLLECTION OF LAWS & REGULATIONS", please
contact Ms Amy Tse at telephone 2823 1210
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