N. Korea parliament session fuels talk of reform

SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea's parliament meets on Tuesday, amid speculation the country's new leadership wants to push through economic reforms that analysts say carry as many risks as potential rewards.

North Korea has one of the world's most rigidly controlled economies and is desperately poor following decades of mismanagement and isolationism, as well as recent international sanctions over its nuclear programme.

North Korea watchers and media reports in South Korea have suggested the rubber-stamp parliament may approve limited reforms pushed by new leader Kim Jong Un, including incentives for workers and farmers to boost productivity.

"The new leader is ready to push for gradual economic reforms in earnest as long as such changes will not rattle the country's political system," Dr Yang Moo Jin at the University of North Korean Studies told AFP.