April 9, 2005

This half-day conference on North Korea provided an opportunity for K-12 educators to hear from firsthand observers about some of the inner workings of one of the most reclusive states in the world. The program got underway with a presentation entitled "Life Experiences in North Korea" by Alexander Vorontsov, head of the section for Korean Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In his presentation, Vorontsov drew on personal experiences garnered while he was residing in North Korea as a member of his country's diplomatic mission. He also spoke of his days as a student at Kim Il Sung University. The participants also heard a presentation entitled "North Korea's Historical Context" by Frederick F. Carriere, VP and executive director of The Korea Society. The presentations were followed by a screening of State of Mind, a documentary that provides unique insights on the daily lives of North Koreans. The program ended with a lively and protracted Q&A session.