Monday, August 19, 2013

North Korea ski lift: Switzerland blocks Kim Jong-un deal, 3번째 거절당한 속내


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23825131
19 August 2013 Last updated at 12:19 ET(BBC)
North Korea ski lift: Switzerland blocks Kim Jong-un deal
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un tours the construction site of the planned Masik ski resort with an entourage of military leaders Kim Jong-un tours the construction site of the planned Masik ski resort

Switzerland has blocked a deal to sell ski lifts to North Korea in the latest setback for leader Kim Jong-un's pet ski resort project.
The Swiss government cited expanded sanctions on luxury exports to North Korea.
Heavy rains and landslides have already delayed the project, viewed as a response to South Korea hosting the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Kim Jong-un has ordered the army to complete the resort by year's end.
The North Korean leader has repeatedly visited the Masik ski resort site and promoted it as an attempt to enhance the lifestyle of the nation's citizens.
But Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) labelled the resort a "prestigious propaganda project for the regime".
"It is inconceivable that this resort will be used by the general public," Seco spokeswoman Marie Avet said.
It is thought Kim Jong-un learned to ski in Bern, where he attended secondary school without revealing his true identity.
The ski lift deal with Swiss company Bartholet Maschinenbau, valued at more than $7m (£4.46m; 5.2m euros), is reportedly the third to fall through due to sanctions.
Austrian and French manufacturers also turned down deals, citing political reasons.


North Korea angry at Swiss ban on ski lift sale

Kim Jong-un at the Masik ski resort site on 27 May 2013Kim Jong-un had wanted the resort to be finished by the end of the year

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North Korea has reacted angrily to a decision by Switzerland to block a deal to sell ski lifts to the secretive communist country.
The equipment - which included chair lifts and cable cars - was for the Masik ski resort project which is currently under construction.
But the Swiss government said last week the equipment constituted luxury goods and so was subject to UN sanctions.
North Korea's Skiers' Association said such equipment should not be banned.
The resort, it said in a statement, was aimed at giving North Koreans "highly civilised and happy living conditions and make them enjoy all blessings.
"Cableway equipment for the ski resort do not produce any rocket or nuclear weapon," it added.
'Prestigious propaganda project'
The Masik ski resort site was believed to be a pet project of leader Kim Jong-un, who reportedly skied when he attended secondary school in Bern under an assumed name.
File photo of skiers in Switzerland in 2011Chair lifts are a common sight at ski resorts
It is also being viewed as a response to South Korea hosting the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Work on the site had been delayed by heavy rains and landslides, but Kim Jong-un wanted the resort to be finished by the end of the year.
The North Korean leader has repeatedly visited the site and promoted it as an attempt to enhance the lifestyle of the nation's citizens.
But Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) labelled the resort a "prestigious propaganda project for the regime".
"It is inconceivable that this resort will be used by the general public," Seco spokeswoman Marie Avet said.
The ski lift deal with Swiss company Bartholet Maschinenbau, valued at more than $7m (£4.46m; 5.2m euros), is reportedly the third to fall through due to sanctions.
Austrian and French manufacturers also turned down deals, citing political reasons.

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