Coca-Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken have recently agreed with North Korean officials to open branches in Pyongyang, according to news reports. 

Some 10 executives from the companies visited Pyongyang from July 5-9 on the invitation of the North’s Korea Taepung International Investment Group, a major channel for attracting foreign investment.

Sources said their branches will be established as early as in September.

The North’s decision to accept the symbols of capitalism and American culture is the latest in the poverty-stricken country’s moves to open up to the outside world.

North Korea recently agreed with the Associated Press to open a permanent bureau in its capital. It also signed a video supply agreement with Thomson Reuters.



By Kang Yoon-seung
(koreacolin@gmail.com)
Intern reporter
Edited by Rob York







<한글 요약>



'코카콜라, KFC 연내 북한 진출할 듯' 



자본주의의 대표적 상징인 코카콜라와 KFC가 연내 북한에 진출할 것으로 알려졌다.

YTN 등의 보도에 따르면, 두 회사의 간부 10여명이 지난 5일부터 9일까지 대풍그룹의 초청으로 평양을 방문해 지점 설립에 합의했다. 소식통들은 이르면 9월이나 10월에 지점을 개설할 것이라고 전했다.

북한은 최근 AP통신과 평양상설지국 개설에 합의했고 로이터통신과도 영상공급 협약을 하는 등 적극적 개방 움직임을 보이고 있다.