KMK: Aliou Niane in North Korea

Care to know what it’s like to go to University in North Korea as an Exchange student? Well, look no further than the story of Aliou Niane of Guinea West Africa who, along with nine other students, was shipped off to North Korea to study Juche ideology on communal agriculture practices from 1982 to 1987 at Wonsan Agricultural College (원산농업대학).

This happened under the reign of Kilm Il Sung. The interview on One Free Korea is a great read. I have to say this site is the best site I’ve come across in a long time. It’s informative, extensive, and topical. Great job guys!

Surprises that I discovered in the article:

1. Never knew that North Korea has a student exchange program much less one open to so many African countries.
2. How insanely dangerous Guinea was in the recent past.
3. That North Koreans can be sentenced to hard labor camps just for listening to South Korean K-pop.
4. North Korea and Guinea seem to have sound educational systems in place.

Niane also has a blog in French. You can find out more about him there or at netniane@dixinn.org

His experience in North Korea seemed totally surreal. I can’t even imagine being forced to live five days let alone five years in North Korea. Be sure to check out his website in French!