The documentary "Educating North Korea" from British BBC Panorama sheds light on one of the world's most closed and oppressive societies.
North Korea is ruled by the young and ruthless leader Kim Jong-un, who has threatened nuclear war against the United States and recently executed his own uncle. In the heart of this absolute dictatorship, there is a remarkable university that is attempting to change the minds of the nation's future elite.
The university, which is paid for by the West, offers a unique opportunity for students to learn from foreign lecturers and gain exposure to new ideas.
The university is located in the heart of North Korea and is unlike any other academic institution in the world. It is designed to educate the future leaders of the country and is exclusively for the sons of some of the most powerful men in the nation. The aim of the university is to give these young men a chance to broaden their horizons and see the world from a different perspective. The university is a rare window into North Korea, offering a glimpse into a world that is otherwise off-limits to outsiders.
Reporter Chris Rogers gained unprecedented access to the university and lived with the students on campus. He observed the daily life of the students and talked to them about their experiences. The students were eager to learn and showed great curiosity about the world outside of North Korea. Despite the strict control that the regime has over the country, the students were able to form their own opinions and express them freely.
During his time at the university, Rogers asked the students about their thoughts on the future of North Korea and whether they believed that the country could one day be a part of the international community. The students were divided in their opinions, with some expressing a desire for change and others feeling that the country should remain isolated from the rest of the world.
One student named Kim, who is the son of a high-ranking official, expressed his hope for a brighter future for North Korea. Kim was passionate about the idea of improving the lives of the North Korean people and believed that the country could one day become a part of the international community. He saw the university as a stepping stone towards that goal and was eager to learn as much as he could from the foreign lecturers.
Another student named Lee, who is the son of a military official, was less optimistic about the future of the country. Lee believed that the country should remain isolated and that the only way to protect its citizens was to keep them isolated from the rest of the world. He saw the university as a necessary step in maintaining the regime's control over the country, but did not believe that it would lead to any significant changes.
Despite their differing opinions, the students were all eager to learn and were interested in the world outside of North Korea. They were exposed to new ideas and perspectives that they had never encountered before. The university is a unique opportunity for these young men to broaden their horizons and gain a new perspective on the world.
The university is just one aspect of the complex and secretive world of North Korea. Despite the strict control that the regime has over the country, there are signs of change and the possibility of a brighter future. The students at the university are the next generation of leaders in North Korea and they will play a critical role in determining the future of the country.
In conclusion, the documentary "Educating North Korea" offers a rare glimpse into one of the world's most secretive and oppressive societies. It provides a window into the minds of the future leaders of North Korea and raises important questions about the future of the country. The students at the university are the next generation of leaders and they will play a critical role in determining the future of North Korea.
Learn more at BBC Panorama