Les réformes économiques et la politique de la « porte ouverte » en Corée du Nord

Economie reforms and the « open door » policy in North Korea. The economic development of North Korea has slowed down during the 70's. The major reasons for this tendency are the following : lack of investment resources and manpower, utilization of a large portion of resources for reinforcement of the national defence, temporarily interruption of the economic aid and technological assistance from China and the Soviet Union, etc. From the late 70's, North Korea has tried to transform the economic development strategy from the extensive to the intensive growth model ; industrial modernization and downward regulation of planned goals, etc. Since 1984, North Korea has attempted some economic reforms : partial authorization of a permanent free market in the rural and urban areas, partial permission of autonomy on the factory level, introduction of the incentive system, transformation of the system of price formation ; most important of all it has established the joint venture, the movement to gain hard currency, and also a slight change in the trade concept. It is true that the greater part of the North Korean governmental elite has a radical character. But in spite of this general phenomenon, we can find some favourable tendencies toward reform. One of the most important signs of reforms is the gradual involvement of the moderate and practical technocrats in the policy-making process. Another sign is the peaceful environment in Far Eastern Asia in international political circumstances. Lastly, the economic difficulties of North Korea will inevitably force them to change their strategy to choose an open door policy and a reform policy.II est exact que la plupart des membres de l'élite gouvernementale nord-coréenne sont des radicaux. Mais on peut tout de même distinguer une amorce de tendance à la réforme. L'un des signes les plus probants est la participation progressive de technocrates modérés et pratiques aux décisions politiques et économiques. Un autre indice est l'atmosphère pacifique de plus en plus perceptible en Asie extrême-orientale lors d'événements d'ordre international. Enfin, les difficultés économiques de la Corée du Nord vont nécessairement l'obliger à changer de stratégie et à choisir une politique de porte ouverte et de réforme.Lee Kie-Young. Les réformes économiques et la politique de la « porte ouverte » en Corée du Nord. In: Revue d'études comparatives Est-Ouest, vol. 22, 1991, n°3. pp. 69-80