Pyongyang has an “elaborate plan” to establish 14 special economic zones (SEZs) and will open up its tourism market as a first step to attract investment, former high-ranking North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho said on Monday.

Thae, who has worked at the National Intelligence Service (NIS)-affiliated Institute for National Security Strategy (INSS), since his defection in 2016, also said the DPRK would not pursue China or Vietnam-style broad-stroke economic reforms.

Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly to mark the publication of his new book “Cypher of the third-floor secretariat,” Thae predicted Pyongyang would seek economic cooperation with