Failure to deliver raises questions about Yang

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Failure to deliver raises questions about Yang

DANDONG, China -- Yang Bin, the minister for North Korea's Sinuiju special administrative district, has been anything but modest since the announcement of the project and his appointment to its top post. But as he continues to talk about how the free trade zone will be run, his promises continue to fall short of reality.

In 48 hours, Mr. Yang, a Chinese-Dutch entrepreneur who reportedly won the heart of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, has gone from guaranteeing passage to Sinuiju for all nationalities, including South Koreans, to apologizing for the premature announcement and setting Oct. 8 as the start date for visa-free entry.

A Chinese official in Dandong said visa waivers from here to Sinuiju would require changes to the visa treaty between China and North Korea and additional border procedures. "The procedures can't be arranged in a month," the official said.

A businessman close to Mr. Yang questioned whether the new minister has the support of Beijing for the Sinuiju project. "It's no secret among businessmen here," he said, "that Mr. Yang's business ventures are not exactly in perfect financial shape." Mr. Yang's Europe-Asia Group is under credit pressure from banks, he said, and Beijing is not happy with the group.

A scholar on Korean issues at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, Park Keun-il, said prospects for investment in manufacturing in Sinuiju are not good. It is likely to be limited to entertainment and gambling, he said.

by Choi Hyung-kyu, Ko Soo-suk

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