Ministries under pressure to meet research goals and improve conditions for scientists and engineers
North Korean Regime is urging their scientists and engineers to complete the projects in time, whilst a sufficient research funding and consequence of failure remain in question (Image:KCNA)
The government in North Korea appears to be making a big push on science and technology to underpin its economic development plans.
This has been the case since Kim Jong-un took power, but this year, there has been an increased emphasis on the importance of executing the national science and technology development plan. Part of this involves improving the number of scientists and engineers, which is itself no easy task, given that the national government lacks a sufficient budget.
On July 16, the Rodong Sinmun urged workers to meet November deadlines for key national projects, saying they are crucial elements of the country’s strategic goals.
“Successfully researching and implementing these tasks can not only give a significant boost to the overall national economy but also bring about noticeable changes in the people’s lives,” the paper said.
Unconditional execution
The projects this year so far are going well, the paper said, thanks to the “unconditional execution in accordance with the Party’s will.”
It singled out the ministries of Metallurgical Industry, Chemical Industry, and Education, as well as the State Academy of Sciences as having “strong discipline” in the execution of their tasks, regarding the plan as a “legal obligation.”
Officials from the Agricultural Science Academy and the Central Bureau of Statistics were commended for supervising the detailed execution of their assigned tasks on a weekly and monthly basis to achieve their respective science and technology development goals.
One successful research project has resulted in the cultivation of fall and spring wheat varieties with very high yields. This achievement exceeded the targets set in the key national projects. According to Rodong Sinmun, KimChaek University of Technology contributed to this breakthrough by establishing a production process for granular, slow-release fertilizer, and the Hamheung University of Chemical Industry contributed through its technical design.
The Ferrous Metal Institute within the State Academy of Sciences contributed to key national projects by developing materials that ensure the mechanical strength of essential components required in the hydropower sector, thus increasing their lifespan compared to before and producing prototypes.
The paper criticized some agencies, on the other hand, for their alleged tendency to perform the key national project tasks in a “formalistic manner.” It emphasized the need to pay attention to the necessary issues for scientific and technological development and ensure the research conditions for technicians.
For this, investment is essential, it said. The officials responsible in each ministry and agency must concentrate on investing in the science and technology sector and continue to ensure favorable conditions for scientists and technicians
Reading between the lines of this mixed review, it appears that government agencies face a dilemma of having to unconditionally comply with party directives, while at the same time managing to do so without the necessary budget. From this point of view, the apparent criticism might represent an indirect plea for funding.
On the other hand, if the message is the opposite – you are legally obliged to achieve these goals even if the budget isn’t available – then the science and technology sector is destined for further frustration.
Jia defected from North Korea in search of basic freedoms, including the right to travel and freely express herself. Her identity as a North Korean has given her a sense of responsibility to represent the voices of her family and hometown friends and is also the reason she has chosen to work as a journalist.
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