[Anchor]
We continue our discussion on North Korea with reporter Kim Ayeong.
Kim, while there are assessments that North Korea-China relations have significantly recovered following last month's summit, you mentioned that there has been a lot of negative sentiment toward China among the residents, right?
[Reporter]
The Japanese media outlet specializing in North Korea, Asia Press, has released statements from sources in North Hamgyong Province and Ryanggang Province, obtained while investigating North Korean market trends from May to mid-June.
As seen in the previous report, as high-quality Russian wheat is being supplied at relatively stable prices, the evaluation of Chinese rice is reportedly declining.
The assessment is that Chinese rice is often old and contains added chemicals, resulting in poor quality.
During the investigation, it was also possible to confirm anti-China sentiment, with remarks such as, "China has treated us like animals."
[Ishimaru Jiro / Representative of Asia Press (June 24): This was a bit unexpected for me as well. It is said that there is an atmosphere of evaluating Chinese products and Chinese food negatively due to anti-China sentiment.]
Although they are traditionally considered friendly, North Korea's perspective, which does not view China solely in a positive light, is occasionally revealed through various episodes.
A book written by a U.S. expert on North Korea contains an anecdote from the 2018 North Korea-U.S. denuclearization negotiations.
It claims that Kim Yong-chol, then-director of the United Front Department, targeted Alex Wong, a Chinese-American member of the U.S. delegation, and absurdly expressed suspicion by saying, "There is a Chinese intelligence agent."
This can be seen as an example that offers a glimpse into North Korea's wariness and discomfort toward China.
[Anchor]
By the way, this Saturday, the 11th, marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea-China Treaty of Friendship. Have any special movements been detected?
[Reporter]
North Korea has announced that a delegation led by Premier of the Cabinet Pak Thae-song will soon visit China.
The trip is scheduled for three days starting today, July 10.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that they will participate in events commemorating the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea-China Treaty of Friendship.
It is unusual for the Premier of the Cabinet, who is the control tower of the North Korean economy, to lead a delegation of party and government officials to China.
The focus is on whether this event will provide momentum for follow-up measures to the summit, such as economic cooperation between North Korea and China.
Ultimately, the key will be how much of an economic backdoor China is willing to open for North Korea.
(Video by Seol Chi-hwan and Lee Sang-hak | Video Editing by Jung Sung-hun)
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