Other Names: Pyongsong Institute of Science, College of Science, Pyongsong Scientific University, Pyŏngsŏng Scientific Institute, College of Gifted Students (秀才大學)
Location: P’yongsŏng (平城市), South P’yong’an Province (平安南道), North Korea [Note: P'yŏngsŏng is known as a “city of science education (科學敎育都市)” with 25 research institutes under the Academy of Sciences. The city has a science and research complex (科學硏究團地) with approximately 40,000 scientists.]
Telephone number: +850-31-24-4128
Subordinate to: Academy of Sciences (科學院), Cabinet (內閣) [Note: North Korea's Academy of Sciences (科學院) was founded in December 1952. The Academy's name was officially changed to "National Academy of Sciences (國家科學院)" in 1994, but the name was changed once again to "Academy of Sciences" in 1998].
Size: Five departments (學部) including nuclear physics, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and electronic engineering. There are about 1,500-1,600 students.
Primary Function: Education and training, research and development
Description: The P’yŏngsŏng College of Science was founded in 1967 as a special college for the training of North Korea’s top scientists. The college has a six-year program and five science-related departments with a small number of students. Unlike other North Korean educational institutions, the social status or background of prospective students are given little consideration for admission. Graduates from the Nuclear Physics Department are posted to the Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center or to nuclear facilities Packch’ŏn-kun. There is a report that the Academy of Sciences established the Nuclear Physics Research Institute in 1982, and attached the institute to the P’yŏngsŏng College of Science. The institute reportedly provides training in nuclear energy theory. The Chemistry Department is reported to have a metallurgy program that has been “involved in nuclear research.”
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Updated April 2003 |
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Key Sources:
Lee Chae Sŭng, Pukhan’ŭl Umjig’i’nŭn Technocrat (Seoul: Ilbit, 1998), pp. 102-103; Kim In Ki, “Pyŏngsŏng-shi: Tallajin Puknyŏkkojang 9,” Chosun Ilbo, 8 January 1996, p. 11, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; “So Coup Chiwŏn Kim Jong Il Kŭkbijishi: Kwisun Pukwoegyokwan Ko Yŏng Hwan Ssi Ilmun Iltap,” Chosun Ilbo, 14 September 1991, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; North Korea Yearbook 2002 (Seoul: Yonhap News Agency, 2001) Chapter 8; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., “Exposing North Korea's Nuclear Infrastructure—Part One,” Jane's Intelligence Review, 1 February 1999, p. 39.
