STI Policy Review_Vol. 7, No. 1 Science and Technology of North Korea: Its Strengths and Potential Areas for North-South Cooperation Jongweon Pak* & John G. Lee** Abstract This study examines the technical level of North Korea’s S&T and identifies areas for potential North–South cooperation. First, North Korean media is analyzed for situations and trends from 2010 to 2015. Despite some commendable achievements, North Korean S&T remains lacking in basic science and commercializa- tion potential. Despite an awareness of the importance of international cooperation, North Korea is ham- pered by international sanctions and their own caution, consequently concentrating their efforts on China. Details of their cooperation reflect their interests and needs to a certain extent, although their collaborations were mainly in the form of meetings and conferences rather than active joint research. To assess the poten- tial areas of cooperation with South Korea, this study also draws on interviews with NGOs and professionals working with North Korea. The country’s present situation is analyzed and some practical examples of pos- sible cooperation is suggested. North Korea has the potential to expand its cooperation not only with South Korea but with many other countries. North Korea also promisingly expresses interest in cooperation. Keywords Science & Technology (S&T), cooperation, North Korea, NGO * Professor, School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Yanbian University of Science and Technology, Yanji, Jilin, China, yustpjw@ hanmail.net ** Board member, Yong Sung Technical Institute, Yanji, Jilin, China, [email protected] 110 1. INTRODUCTION Despite having maintained its foundational Juche1 (“self-reliance”) ideology, North Korea has realized economic problems cannot be solved without international cooperation, and conceptual- ized Juche accordingly. In 2005, Kim Jong-il declared a new science and technology-based Juche as a greater willingness to acknowledge the contribution of foreign technological innovations to the development of S&T, bringing a more pragmatic and profit-oriented approach. One of the recent mottos of Juche technology is “feet on our land, eyes to the world (Jenson, 209),ˮ and some efforts towards this end can be seen in the following activities. • Product donation by China in 2007 (computers and printers were donated through coopera- tion between science academies in North Korea and China), • Investment of 4 million dollars for the national mobile phone network business by the Orascom company in Egypt in 20082, • IT technology exchange program between Syracus University in New York and Kim Chaek University in Pyongyang, although not readily admitted by either party, and • Development of wind-power as an alternative energy program in cooperation with a Swiss organization in 20103 There were various inter-Korean cooperation projects as well, including The Korean Peninsula En- ergy Development Organization (KEDO) in 1995. However, there were many obstacles. Cooperation in S&T, which ought to be independent of poli- tics and ideology, is interrupted by external factors such as political incidents (such as the shooting of the South Korean tourist at North Korea’s Geum Gang resort in 2008, South-North battle on the West Sea in 2009, the sinking of South Korean frigate Cheonan in 2010, and a number of nuclear tests) and North Korea’s internal situation (the death of Kim Jong-il in 2011). Therefore, during the past eight years (2008–2015), no news could be found on inter-Korean S&T collaboration meetings aside from some indirect scholastic cooperation projects through China. Under their motto Jarukgaingsaing (recovery by our own strength in English translation), North Korea advocates national S&T strategies using achievements made by their own technology as pro- paganda for internal consolidation. They emphasize S&T for solving three problems, namely ex- ternal security, poverty, and the bottleneck of political uncertainty arising from a power succession across three consecutive generations. 1 Juche, usually translated as “self-reliance”, is the official political ideology of North Korea. It means “being the master of revolution and reconstruction in one’s own country, holding fast to an independent position, rejecting dependence on others, using one’s own brains, believing in one’s own strength under all circumstances. (Lee, 2003, p. 105)” 2 North Korea's IT Technology (http://www.northkoreatech.org/tag/cheo-technology) 3 Confirmed during an interview on wind power project from Switzerland. The interviewee Stefan Burckhardt managed the alternative energy project with North Korea in 2012. Available at http://www.agape.ch/projekte/asien/nordkorea/ 111 STI Policy Review_Vol. 7, No. 1 We discerned North Korea’s current situation of S&T and some of its industries through North Ko- rea’s S&T network (http://www.nktech.net), and through information and materials courtesy of the Ministry of Unification. North Korea attempted to set up three consecutive five-year plans for the improvement of S&T (1998–2012), but were unable to solve the more urgent “food problem” in their populace. While receiving various kinds of external help, North Korea has also refused certain forms of support to protect their principle of “utmost dignity.” North Korea recently attempts to develop self-reliant technologies and looks for talent internally to improve existing technology, elevating scientists and technicians to more prominent levels. Al- though currently lacking in research infrastructure and other R&D resources, they have a variety of researchers in the software area, which is opportune considering the current importance of IT. They conduct various forms of business to control information internally and to earn foreign currency externally. In particular, there are many workers in animation, game programming, information se- curity, information applications, and program development using open sources. While emphasizing S&T for military purposes, they also attempt strategies for economic develop- ment using S&T. Recently, a plan was publicy announced for rebuilding the economy by 2022, and at least 50% of this would result from S&T. They seem to have not given up on collaborating with external technologies as long as the stability of their power is not threatened. During this research, we were able to discern their interest in attracting foreign investment through the results of their successfully developed products. Therefore, if a concrete and feasible point of cooperation in S&T is found, North Korea could be encouraged to participate in joint research, not only in that area but also in other areas of common interest. North Korea’s S&T policy and development in accordance with their present political system is making gradual progress (Lee, 2015), but their cooperation in S&T with other countries is limited. Information is not readily available concerning the long-term viewpoint of North Korean S&T, but there are many reports or projects on some short-term topics. Some papers show inter-Korean co- operation and policy direction. One is titled “Seed Potato Project by NGO-World Vision in North Korea” and another is research on North Korea’s steel industry (Kim, 2011), which is the basis for all its industries (Kim & Seong, 2011). Yet another paper titled “Re-examination of Unification Talks and the Role of Inter-Korean Trade” stresses that economic cooperation through inter-Korean trade can lead to building a foundation for future reunification (Lim, 2011). One way to assess the North Korean S&T skill level is to study the practical S&T skills being ap- plied to North Korea’s industries and economy. This review analyzes and summarizes public infor- mation to obtain the long-term view on the country’s S&T and certain industry areas during 2010- 2015. Interviews were also conducted with professionals and NGO teams working in North Korea to evaluate the present S&T level. The information is analyzed from the perspective of contributing to a basis for future inter-Korean cooperation. 112 2. PRESENT SITUATION OF INDUSTRIES AND S&T (2010–2015) BASED ON INFOR- MATION FROM NORTH KOREA’S MEDIA We assume that information on S&T made public by North Korea should have something to reveal concerning its industry. In order to discern the progression of S&T in North Korea’s industries, we examine information revealed by North Korea’s media from 2010 to 2015. 2.1. The Situation in 2010 2010 was a year of heightened inter-Korean tensions and diminished cooperation levels. North Ko- rea began recognizing that S&T development was the key to achieving higher economic power, and tried to promote Juche-style industry and S&T policy. Leaders participated more actively in work tours, utilizing multimedia, literature, news, and journals to promote S&T renovation and S&T enhancement. Rather than producing new products with innovative R&D, they followed the trend of modernization through implementing in areas of weakness, and tried to market the subsequent products (such as the promotion of products made with the cultivation techniques of purified water and Cordyceps militaris). TABLE 1. North Korean Achievements in Industry and S&T in 20104 Industry and S&T Achievements in 2010 90 km2 of tide land developed at Daegye-Do in North Pyungan province. While progress was slow in areas of road, harbor, Social indirect investment and the railroad of the outlying districts, international cooperation was maintained. A textile manufacturing plant was constructed in Shineuju in 2010. Modern equipment and CNC were Textile introduced. Small and medium size power generation stations (four in 2010) were built because of the chronic shortages Electricity in electricity, and a concerted effort was being made to build another station at a proper location. Digital lathes and vertically processed parts were manufactured by Ryunha Machinery Group, which has Machinery outstanding capability and wide experience in developing and manufacturing modern CNC (computer Industry numerical control) process equipment. No major expansion in 2010 due to previous support of the metal industry across the country and a limitation Metal in the raw material arising from the limited iron source.