About UNKS

We graciously welcome everyone visiting the University

of North Korean Studies (UNKS)

The University of North Korean Studies is the world’s only institution fully dedicated to North Korean and Unification studies. Renowned both domestically and internationally, its scholarship and teaching shape academic debates and inform policy decisions that underpin our understanding of the peninsula.

Over the years, the University has developed a network of researchers and experts whose insights are sought in virtually every major North Korea forum. Building on this strong foundation, it also serves as a dynamic hub where domestic and international scholars and practitioners collaborate to advance the field.

Alongside preparing today’s professionals, we invest equally in nurturing tomorrow’s scholars. Faculty and students engage across disciplines—within North Korean studies and related fields—sharing ideas and experiences with peers from diverse nationalities, academic traditions, and professional backgrounds. This innovative model ensures our master’s and doctoral graduates consistently earn top evaluations from academic communities worldwide and go on to make significant contributions at leading research institutes and educational organizations.

What unites our community is a shared mission that extends beyond degree attainment. Students, alumni, and faculty are recognized experts in their fields, driven by a clear vision for peace and reunification and determined to turn ideas into action. Our culture of mutual respect, open dialogue, and collective purpose has forged a tightly knit network that fuels our innovation and impact.

We warmly invite everyone committed to a peaceful, unified future for the Korean Peninsula to join us. Together, we will advance scholarship, inform policy, and build the bridges that bring lasting change.

 Jong Dae Shin

The 11th President of the University of North Korean Studies