IACKS: Study Tour

NK Study Tours for Scholars and Researchers (general information)

Tue, 20 May 2008 08:59:06 GMT

1. NK Study Tours are jointly run by the International Association for Contemporary Korea Studies and the [North] Korean Association of Social Scientists. Participants pay only for their own international airfare, visa fees, and domestic transportation. The North Korean side covers all other expenses in the DPRK.

2. This program is designed for graduate and post-graduate students, researchers, lecturers and professors affiliated with universities and research centres around the world working in the area of Social Sciences and/or Asian Studies (preferably with focus on contemporary Korea).

3. Applications from ROK citizens cannot be accepted. Applications from Japanese and US passport-holders are examined by the North Korean side on the case by case basis.

Persons who qualify to join this program will be required to fill in the personal particulars form (see below) and attach a scan of his/her passport's first page with photograph (JPG file). This information will be used for DPRK visa application only.

1) Name as in passport:
2) Sex:
3) Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy):
4) Citizenship:
5) Passport number:
6) Current occupation/affiliation with the address of academic institution and telephone number of academic supervisor or head of faculty:
7) Home address, telephone number(s), e-mail address:
8) Ethnicity:

The next NK Study Tour is being planned for October-November 2008 (but has not been confirmed yet). The North Korean organiser can normally accept one group (4~6 people) per year.

If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Leonid Petrov at <leonid.petrov@anu.edu.au>

IACKS

2007 NK Study Tour (23.10-16.11.2007)

Sat, 17 May 2008 05:48:57 GMT

The 2007 NK Study Tour was held from 23 October to 16 November. There were six members (four from Australia and two from France) - all scholars and researchers of contemporary Korea. The delegation was hosted by the [North] Korean Association of Social Scientists (KASS). The purpose of this trip was familiarization with the state of social sciences in North Korea, the establishment of academic cooperation with North Korean universities and research centres, and visits to the places of interest in this country.

Every day the NK Study Tour delegation had three-hour meetings with the scholars of social sciences specializing in Economics, Politics, Law and Philosophy. These meetings consisted of a lectures followed by Q&A discussions. There were no restrictions on recording or photographing. Most issues were freely debated until satisfactory answers were received. Of particular interest were the lectures on Philosophy by Dr.Kim Chang-gyeong, and the lectures on the theory of Socialism by Dr.Ri Cheon-hwa. All lectures were conducted in Korean and simultaneously translated into English by the KASS Researcher, Ms.Choe Cheong-ae.

Accompanied by the KASS Executive Officer, Mr. Ri Song-il, the delegation visited various places in Pyongyang and traveled to other cities and towns (Namp'o, Ryonggang, Kaesong, P'anmunjeom, DMZ, Myohyangsan). In Pyongyang, the delegation visited the Kim Il-sung University, Kim Chaek University of Technology E-Library, Kim Won-gyun Conservatory, People's Grand Study House, Pyongyang Moranbong Middle School No.1, Man'gyeongdae Children's Palace, Kim Cheong-suk nursery, etc.

The delegation visited the National History Museum, Museum of Korean Revolution, Korean Art Museum, Korean Folklore Museum, History Museum, Museum of Party Foundation, Tomb of King Tongmyeong, Peace Museum in P'anmunjeom, Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery, Man'gyeongdae Museum, Wolhyang Minye Art Exhibition, Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition, the Three Revolutions Exhibition, Myohyangsan International Friendship Exhibition, Keumsusang Memorial Palace

Monument to the Party Foundation, the Juche Tower, West Sea Barrage, Mansudae Hill Memorial, Moranbong Park Memorial, Arch of Triumph, Pohyongsa Buddhist Temple, Pyongyang Film Studio, Taedonggang Beer Brewery, Pakkyong Waterfall, Ryongaksan Natural Reserve, etc. were also visited.

Among cultural events attended by the delegation were the revolutionary opera "Flower Girl" (Pyongyang Opera House), a circus show (Pyongyang Circus), a qualifying soccer match DPRK-Mongolia (Kim Il-sung Stadium), a Halloween party at the RAC bar for foreigners (Munsudong Diplomatic Compound).

Meeting with KASS Director General, Mr. Pak Ch'ang-yul took place on 8 November 2008 and was dedicated to the discussion of main political issues in and around the DPRK. Mr.Pak expressed the KASS's wish to cooperate with the International Association for Contemporary Korea Studies (IACKS) and its individual members in the future.

The next NK Study Tour is currently being planned for October-November 2008 (however, it is not yet confirmed). For more information, contact IACKS webmaster.

2008 North Korea Study Tour

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:01:30 GMT

Since 2007, the Australian National University has offered its graduate students and researchers a unique opportunity to visit and experience North Korea (DPRK) as a member of the North Korea Study Tour, led by Dr Leonid Petrov.

In 2008 Dr Petrov of the ANU is running the study tour again. If you are interested in joining this unique and intensive program, it is strongly recommended that you have some background knowledge of Korean language and/or history. A list of Korea related courses offered by the ANU in 2008 can be found on our courses page.

You will spend up to three weeks in North Korea, attending classes on philosophy, political science, economy, and social history. You will visit the main universities, libraries and museums of Pyongyang, tour the local factories, farms and markets, and visit Kaesong, Panmunjom (DMZ), Nampo and the Myohyang Mountains. At the completion of this Study Tour you will be awarded a Certificate issued by the Korean Association of Social Scientists and testifying your proficiency in the covered subjects. All classes, seminars and excursions are conducted in Korean and English. Participants are required to cover ONLY the cost of their air travel to/from Pyongyang and local transportation. North Korea Study Tours are usually organised in October-November and led by Dr. Leonid Petrov (RSPAS, ANU).

Preparations for the 2008 Study Tour are currently underway. The dates and conditions will be announced soon.

IACKS