Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies

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Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies
Chosŏn'gŭl 평양외국어대학
Hancha 平壤外國語大學
McCune-Reischauer Pyŏng'yang Oigukŏ Taehak
Revised Romanization Pyeong'yang Oegukeo Daehak

The Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies is a 5-year university in Pyongyang, North Korea, specialising in language education. It was split off from Kim Il-sung University in 1964.[1] It has separate colleges for students of English, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese; the so-called "Ethnic Languages College" offers instruction in a further 18 languages, including French, Spanish, Arabic, Thai, Urdu, Khmer, and, as of July 2007, Polish and Italian.[2] The school does not have as high a reputation as those of Kim Il-sung University's foreign languages division, which trains members of the political elite; most graduates go on to become working-level diplomats or work in the intelligence service.[3]

[edit] Notable students, faculty, and alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ Yi, Jae-seung. "“과학기술중시정책 영향... 외국어 배우기 열풍, 2개 국어 회화 필수”", Minjog21, 2007-07-23. 
  2. ^ "北평양외대, 폴란드.이태리어科 신설 (Pyongyang Foreign Languages University establishes Polish, Italian courses)", JoongAng Ilbo, 2007-07-05. Retrieved on 2007-07-20. 
  3. ^ Bowers, Andy. "North Korea's Confusing Brand of English", National Public Radio, 2006-10-10. 
  4. ^ Curtin, J. Sean. "The strange saga of Charles Robert Jenkins", Asia Times Online, 2004-06-05. Retrieved on 2007-07-20. 
  5. ^ "An American in North Korea". Produced by Robert G. Anderson and Casey Morgan; reported by Bob Simon. 60 Minutes. CBS Television. 2007-07-28.