North Korean Official Who Survived Purge Now Leads Kim's Economic Plan
- North Korea names seasoned technocrat to prestigious committee
- Economy expands marginally under Kim despite growing sanctions
Pak Pong Ju in 2005.
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Kim Jong Un is looking to one of North Korea’s more experienced technocrats -- who once narrowly escaped being purged -- to revive the economy in the face of punishing international sanctions.
Kim this month named prime minister Pak Pong Ju, 77, to the five-man standing committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, making him the highest-ranking official to lead a new five-year economic plan. The regime’s leader announced the blueprint at the first full party congress in 36 years, held as he seeks to tighten his grip on power.