North Korea’s participation in the Advanced Science and Technology and Product Exhibition has shown a steady increase in both the number of participating units and achievements each year. This trend indicates that the North Korean government’s emphasis on scientific and technological advancement is effectively taking root across various sectors.
The North Korean ruling party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Wednesday that the Advanced Science and Technology and Product Exhibition 2025 was held on Tuesday at the People’s Study House.
This year’s exhibition featured over 550 units from diverse sectors, including metallurgy, chemical engineering, machinery, agriculture, light industry, healthcare, education, and information technology. The newspaper also noted that approximately 800 advanced scientific research achievements and more than 1,600 products that received high marks at the National Science and Technology Festival and sector-specific exhibitions were on display.
While the newspaper did not provide specifics on the achievements presented, it explained that the exhibition would facilitate various scientific and technological exchanges and dissemination activities. These include showcasing valuable research outcomes and products, as well as offering technology services and transfers.
According to previous reports, last year’s exhibition attracted over 480 units, showcasing more than 2,200 advanced scientific research and development achievements through actual items and scale models.
The Ministry of Unification reports that this exhibition has been held annually since 2023. While it was disclosed that over 300 units participated in 2023, the number of products exhibited was not revealed. Comparing the number of participating units up to this year, it appears that around 100 additional units have joined each year since 2023. Moreover, this year saw approximately 200 more highly rated products than last year.
The policy of prioritizing science and technology was present during Kim Jong Il’s tenure as Chairman of the National Defense Commission. Still, it has become more pronounced under Kim Jong Un’s leadership. Shortly after assuming power in 2012, Kim Jong Un demonstrated tangible support for scientists by constructing apartments in central Pyongyang for professors from Kim Il Sung University and Kim Chaek University of Technology, North Korea’s top educational institutions.
Notably, there appears to be a strong focus on cultivating scientific and technical talent. In 2023, North Korea’s legislative body, the Supreme People’s Assembly, convened a plenary meeting and enacted the Science and Technology Talent Law. This legislation aims to foster a societal culture that values scientific and technical expertise and includes provisions for systematic training, registration, and the provision of adequate living conditions for these professionals.