WINTEC Visit to Pyongyang

A team from the Waikato Institute of Technology (Hamilton, NZ) visited Pyongyang - April 6th to 10th, 2009

Academic Tutor, School of English Language, WINTEC, Richard Lawrence, reports:

Background

In June, 2008, I was teaching at Shandong University of Technology (Zibo, Shandong Province, China) for a three-month period, and was able to visit the DPRK for three days. Contacts made at that time enabled us to return as a team in June, 2009 – Mark Flowers, Wintec Chief Executive, Lynnette Flowers and Richard Lawrence (Wintec).

Thanks

The NZ DPRK Society, especially the Rev. Don Borrie, who provided the initial invitation and opportunity to make contact with people in the DPRK; the DPRK NZ Friendship Society, especially Mrs Ji, Yon Ok, who made the arrangements for our visit; Mr Hwang, Seung Chol, our other DPRK guide throughout our stay, for his support and advice each day; Wintec, for supporting this staff visit to the DPRK.

Welcome Dinner - DPRK - NZ Friendship Society.

Aim of the Visit

Our aim was to establish contact with an institution of tertiary study in the DPRK, which would provide a platform for further collaboration for our mutual benefit, including student or staff visits to both Wintec, New Zealand, and the DPRK.

Itinerary

Welcome dinner by the Korea-New Zealand Friendship Society (Monday, April 6th); Visits to the Tower of the Juche Idea, the Grand People’s Study House, the Mangyongdae Native Home – birthplace of President Kim, Il Sung; Monument to the foundation of the Party; Pyongyang Cultural Exhibition Hall (Tuesday, April 7th); International Friendship Exhibition Hall, Mt Myohyang; (Wednesday, April 8th); Kumsusan Memorial Palace, Minye Exhibition Hall, Pyongyang Circus, Walhyang Exhibition Shop.

Key Visits

School visit: Korea-New Zealand Friendship Daesong June 9 Middle School No. 1, Thursday, April 9th.

In front of the Korea - NZ Friendship School

Universities visits:

Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Tuesday, April 7th

Kim Chaek University of Technology, Thursday, April 9th

Photo: Kim Hyong Jik University

Visit with DPRK Ministry of Education official: With Mr Han, Gyu Sam, Ministry of Education, Tuesday, April 7th

Farm visit: Korea-New Zealand Friendship Haksan Cooperative Farm, Friday, April 10th

Further visits and contacts:

With Dr Carol Griffiths, who came us with us to the Korea-New Zealand Friendship Daesong June 9 Middle School No. 1, on Thursday, April 9th, and to the Korea-New Zealand Friendship Haksan Cooperative Farm, Friday, April 10th

With Peter Hughs, H.M. Ambassador, British Embassy, Pyongyang, at the Koryo Hotel, with Dr Carol Griffiths, April 8th, evening.

With Mr Pak, Kyong Il (Chairman, DPRK-NZ Friendship Society) , with us for the friendship dinner on our first evening.

With Mr Pak, Yong Gun (Deputy Director, Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries of the DPRK), on a number of our visits, with a great deal of information and guidance along the way.

Letter of Intention - Wintec and Kim Hyong Jik University of Education

A Letter of Intention was signed between Mark Flowers on behalf of Wintec, New Zealand, and Mr Pak, Chang Hak, on behalf of Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Pyongyang, on Tuesday, April 7th.

The text was written in both Korean and English. It speaks of the desire to cooperate and work collaboratively for the mutual benefit of both parties. The English text of the letter is held at Wintec.

We enjoyed the trip to the DRPK very much. Our hosts were very willing to connect with us in discussion, friendship and hospitality. We want to build on the relationships established, with further communications and contact, especially with Kim Hyong Jik University of Education.

At Kim Hyong Jik University

Waikato Institute of Technology website: http://www.wintec.ac.nz/