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University of North Korean Studies

Major

  • Prof. Jong Dae Shin
  • e-mail shinjd@kyungnam.ac.kr
  • Tel 02-3700-0728

Major

The University of North Korean Studies (UNKS) offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in North Korean Studies in the following majors

Politics and Unification

Through a focus on North Korean political structure and ideology, foreign policy and diplomatic relations, inter Korean relations, and unification policy, this major explores the promotion of peace on the Korean peninsula, the future development of North and South Korean relations, and policy programs that can lay the foundation for peaceful unification. Moreover, lectures on theories of policy making, unification, negotiation, international relations, and special theories on inter-Korean relations bring together theory and policy to cultivate professional expertise in this area of study.

Law and Administration

Through the systematic research of North Korean law and administration system, this course seeks to raise understanding of North Korean governance structure and the lives of its people. The course will go beyond the formal system of law statutes to consider how these laws actually operate in reality. The essential core of this course includes the influence of current laws and administrative practices on the change we see in the present North Korea and be able to predict changes that may take place in the future.

Military and Security Studies

Main topics of study include the Korean armistice and the security environment of the Korean peninsula, security policies of North and South Korea, North Korea’s military strategy and power (including the development of nuclear weapons), the military balance of the Korean peninsula, and the position and status of the Korean People’s Army. The study of these topics encourages the exploration of measures to cease hostilities between North and South Korea and to promote peace regime on the Korean peninsula.

Economics and IT Studies

Main topics of study include North Korean economy and the past, present and future of inter-Korean economic relations. Specifically, through scholarly exploration of North Korea’s economic system and policy, industry, resource and land development, energy, infrastructure, opening and reform, and inter-Korean economic cooperation and integration, students gain a deeper understanding of the North Korean economy. The courses are designed to ultimately foster professionals to work and contribute in the field of inter-Korean economic exchange, cooperation, and integration.

Society, Culture and Media

This major considers a wide array of perspectives on the socio-cultural and media aspects of North Korea. It encompasses both micro and macro approaches on the subject, examining the psyche of North Korean people and family structure, in addition to examining the characteristics of the North Korean social system and its process of change and development. Other subjects of research include the exploration of cultural art, including literature, music, art, live performances, and movies, together with the fundamental theories of North Korean culture and how it has changed over the years.

Unification Education Studies

This major critically examines people’s perceptions and attitudes on the division of the Korean peninsula that were reinforced and reproduced over the years. We also explore methods of developing among citizens the capacities necessary to achieve peaceful unification on the Korean peninsula. The goal of this major is to cultivate specialists in unification education studies, capable in both theory and practice.

Introduced major subjects

Theories of North Korean Politics
North Korean Politics
A Study of Korean Workers’ Party
South-North Relations
The Study of North Korean Elite
Study on KIM Il-Sung and KIM Jung-Il
Lecture in North-South relations
History of Korean Communist Movement
History of Inter-Korean Relations Research
Relationship between Political party Politics military of the North Korean
Northeast Asian International Politics
Theory of Foreign Policy in North Korea
Seminar on International Politics of Nuclear Power
Seminar on Unification and Diplomacy of the Korean Peninsula
The History of the Cold War and the Korean Peninsula
Seminar on the DPRK-China Relations
Political system of unification Korea
Case Study on Inter-Korean Dispute
Political economy of North Korean nationalism
Study of Current Issues in North and South Korea