Coke and KFC in Pyongyang?---A new open communist country expected?
 
YTN is reporting that Coca Cola and KFC are set to open branches in Pyongyang. About 10 Coke and KFC officials, mostly headquarters guys and executives handling overseas projects, reportedly visited North Korea between July 5 an 9 at the invitation of the Daepung International Investment Group, a North Korean-led body set up to draw foreign investment in North Korea. 
Pyongyang daily life According to a source familiar with North Korea, they reportedly reached a final agreement to open up branches in Pyongyang. The source told YTN that the branches would open this September or October. 
Pyongyang daily life YTN notes that North Korea’s decision to accept investment from said companies is seen as a sign that North Korea is fairly serious about opening up, given the companies’ status as symbols of international capital. All of this has some cautiously optimistic that North Korea might be transforming in a manner different from that of the past. 
Pyongyang daily life As Coca-Cola and KFC are often referred to as symbols of global capitalism, not to mention American culture, the North's intention brings about controversies concerning acceptance of the market system. The YTN piece also notes that North Korea is also working to improve its relations with the overseas media, agreeing with AP to allow the latter to open a permanent bureau office in Pyongyang, followed by an agreement with Reuters on video content delivery. The AP has signed a memorandum of understanding (which typically precedes an official deal) on the establishment of a text and photo bureau in Pyongyang, while Reuters says it has an agreement to feed video from Pyongyang for distribution to its TV clients worldwide.
Pyongyang daily life AP would be the first permanent text and photo bureau operated by a Western news organization in the North Korean capital. The Reuters News Agency will be the first international news organization to have a full time satellite dish in North Korea, delivering clean news video content in addition to the text and pictures covered by a previous agreement – a significant benefit to broadcasters across the globe.
Pyongyang daily life Analysts said the main purpose that North Korea opens its door to Western medias is trying to promote its image of freedom and opening up and also indicating that DPRK is confident in contolling such medias effectively as well as maintaining its stability. (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) |
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