strateqy for the fourth United Nations development decade. The PRESIDENT: In accordance with the decision taken by the General Assembly at its 1st plenary meeting, held on 23 April 1990, I now call uoon the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic PeoPle's RePublic of Korea, Mr. Kang Sok Ju. Mr. KANG (Democratic People's Republic of Korea): Let me first of all congratulate Ambassador Garba of Nigeria on his election as President of the General Assembly at its eighteenth special session, devoted to international economic co-operation, and express my conviction that the current special session under his able presidency will contribute to promoting the overall develoPment of international economic co-operation and, in particular, revitalizinQ economic growth in the developing countries. ;JSM/jf A/S-18/PV. 6 193 (Mr~ Kang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Let me also express our view that it is a reallY significant event that Namibia has attained national independence through its protracted and arduous struggle and membership in the United Nations with the unanimous support of all Member States. At present the international political situation is witnessing a series of positive changes from tension to detente and from confrontation to dialogue. However, no positive changes are seen in international economic relations. Today, the economic status of the developing countries is deteriorating, while the qap bvetween the rich and the poor, between the North and the South, is ever widening. The economic difficulties suffered by the developing countries in the building of a new society are being constantly aggravated because of the unfair international economic system. Over the last decade the developed countries exacerbated the debt burden hanging over the developing countries by raising their interest rates. The debt crisis occurring in the early 1980s seriously hindered the economic development of 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech delivered by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, discussing the economic situation of developing countries and the need for international cooperation to address their challenges. The speaker highlights the widening gap between rich and poor countries, the debt crisis, and the unfair international economic system.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade