North Korea has announced it will provide living stipends to graduate students studying Juche ideology. This move appears to be an effort to cultivate global talent for promoting their state philosophy.
According to the Kim Il Sung University website, on Friday, the university had been accepting applications for an English-based Ph.D. program in Juche studies until the end of last month. The research program will explore various aspects of Juche ideology, including its origins, developmental context, and theoretical framework.
Applicants must meet several criteria: they should hold or expect to obtain a first-class honors degree in relevant fields such as philosophy, political science, sociology, or history; demonstrate proficiency in English listening, speaking, reading, and writing; and be capable of receiving Korean language education and completing 20% of the Korean language education tasks during their study period.
Notably, successful candidates will receive an annual living allowance of 1,475 USD during their study and research period. The Korean language learning program will be offered free of charge, and the university will provide necessary academic resources and research equipment, including access to library resources and research facilities.
While North Korean students at Kim Il Sung University receive free education as per state policy, international students reportedly pay around 3,000 USD for a semester’s tuition. By offering living expenses to international students and recruiting Ph.D. candidates in Juche studies, the North Korean government appears to be attempting to project an image of a normal state and reinforce its ideological propaganda.
North Korea has been working to develop Kim Il Sung University, its most prestigious institution, into a research-oriented university to serve as a hub for international academic exchange. Since Kim Jong Un assumed power, North Korean researchers have expanded their activities, publishing papers in international journals across various fields, including physics and science.
The university’s website reports ongoing collaborative research in the natural sciences, including joint studies with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) on subatomic cosmology and high-energy physics; joint research on nonlinear optical phenomena in nano-plasmon resonance with the Max Born Institute in Germany; and collaboration with the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on chaos in dynamical systems.
A recent publication on the university’s website, titled “Overview of Recent Cloud Seeding Experiments for Increased Precipitation in Our Country,” reveals that the seventh cloud seeding experiment is currently underway in Chungsan County, South Pyongan Province. The experiment utilizes a newly developed 82mm rocket and silver iodide for artificial rain generation. This report provides relatively detailed insights into research achievements across various fields in North Korea.
