North Korea Makes Russian a Mandatory School Subject from Fourth Grade

North Korea has introduced Russian language instruction as a compulsory subject beginning in the fourth grade, Orda.kz reports.

The decision was announced by Alexander Kozlov, co-chair of the Russian–North Korean intergovernmental commission. He also stated that a Center for Open Russian Education is currently under construction in Pyongyang, Interfax reports.

About 600 people are currently studying Russian in North Korea, and next year a Russian-language Open Education Center will open in Pyongyang. The institution is being established at Kim Chol-ju Normal University. Construction has already begun,
  Kozlov said.

According to him, humanitarian cooperation between the two countries is expanding.

Last academic year, 96 North Korean citizens enrolled in Russian universities, while 300 Russian students began studying Korean, with programs available at three pedagogical universities.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov