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.