From a historical perspective and given the North's crippling economic status, certain economic parallels can be drawn with Ireland, which went from being one of the poorest nations in Europe to a mid-ranked power with a per capital income of over US$30,000 (W31.7 million). The decision to send a delegation there indicates that the North is looking for inspiration from the Irish model to help rehabilitate itself financially.

An official from Ireland's Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) confirmed that a delegation had visited the ESRI in mid-October along with officials from the North Korean Embassy in Great Britain.

The group listened to explanations of Irish economic development and the dynamic forces responsible for galvanizing it to success. According to the official, the four-man delegation that visited the research institute expressed great interest in the issue of distribution of increased national income.

The Irish official said the institute briefed the visitors on how to attract direct foreign investment and build strong educational systems, as well as discussing social compacts and other motivating forces behind economic development.

He said the delegation listened to the explanations attentively, and expressed deep interest in the question of wealth distribution. Its interest was not only confined to Ireland's economic development, but the entire Irish social system, he said.

Ireland and North Korea established diplomatic relations last year, with the North Korean ambassador to Great Britain also doubling as the ambassador to Ireland.

(englishnews@chosun.com )