09/17/2010

Multifaceted factors behind adjournment

Despite the adjournment of the first party delegates conference in 44 years which was expected to be held in the first week of September in Pyongyang, the director of the Korea office of the Foundation for Liberty, Walter Klitz, had the opportunity to discuss issues of international concern, like the Cheonan case, with senior officials of the Workers Party and to raise questions about the party event.

Klitz came back from his one week trip with the impression that the economy in the DPRK is visibly improving. Luxury goods from all over the world can be seen. The security in Pyongyang was enforced and very tight and everything indicated that the delegates of the conference who were nominated by the party and the military would arrive anytime soon. But three days after Klitz’s arrival in Pyongyang the security forces were withdrawn and it became obvious that the conference was postponed. Although Klitz was not given any reason, he assumes that the decision was driven by multifaceted factors.