The High-Tech Development Institute at North Korea’s Kim Il Sung University is responsible for researching key basic technologies including information technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology and materials engineering while developing a range of cutting-edge technology including 5G, artificial intelligence and the internet of things.
The Kim Il Sung University website says the High-Tech Development Institute is playing a key role in the transition of North Korea’s industrial structure to the knowledge economy.
Toward that end, the High-Tech Development Institute was established in 2014 as a merger of six separate research facilities that focus on information technology, nanotechnology, bioindustry, electronic materials, scientific experimental equipment, and analysis. A telecommunications industry institute and a mechanical and electronic product workshop were added in 2015 and 2016, respectively, giving the High-Tech Development Institute a total of eight research and production facilities under its aegis.
Among the eight facilities, the information technology research center consists of seven laboratories, including one focused on informatization, and carries out research into AI, the internet of things and analysis of big data. To take one recent example, the center has reportedly been researching ways to improve North Korea’s emergency medical aid command system, which is called “Rescue 1.0.”
The four laboratories at the telecommunications industry research center are handling R&D into cutting-edge telecommunications technology and systems including 4G and 5G mobile telecommunications systems, a tri-network integrated service system, broadband and visible light communication systems, and software-defined networking and network functions virtualization (SDF/NFV).
It is possible that this research center is also closely involved in projects connected to the transition to next-generation mobile telecommunications mentioned by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his report on the work of the Seventh Central Committee during the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in 2021.
In connection with this, Daily NK recently reported that the information technology and telecommunications industry research centers collaborated on the development of new technology to manage immigration and customs work.
The role of the nanotechnology research center is to further the development of nanotechnology and applied research that can contribute to economic development and defense capabilities in North Korea.
Nano derives from “nanos,” the Greek word for dwarf. One nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter. Nanotechnology, which refers to the art of producing or combining nanomaterials (measuring 1-100nm) to create new particles or materials, has applications for various areas, including semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Based on information from the Kim Il Sung University website, the bioindustry research center’s work is focused on the latest biotechnology with the goal of achieving the integration of education, science and research. The center also functions as the government body in charge of assessing the quality of food products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
The electronics materials research center has developed various “smart” sensors for use in the development and production of ultrasonic electronic devices such as omnidirectional fish finders, fishing net monitors, underwater sonar devices, ultrasonic cleaners and ultrasonic inhalers.
As North Korea’s hub for general analysis, the analysis center is charged with quickly and accurately analyzing various issues that arise in university research and the government’s technological development and finding solutions for those issues. This center consists of three laboratories: an inorganic materials analysis and mass spectrometry laboratory, a structural analysis laboratory and an organic materials analysis laboratory.
The mechanical and electronic product workshop specializes in computer numerical control (CNC), a field in which North Korea takes great pride. Given that fact, this workshop may play a major role not only in facilitating domestic production of mechanical equipment but also in researching the production of parts related to satellites and nuclear tests, given the precision work they require.
The primary mission of the scientific experimental equipment center is to research and develop equipment used in modern scientific experiments, including digital measuring instrumentation, spectrometers and microscopes.
Rodong Sinmun recently reported that the 36th Kim Il Sung University Technology Fair was held on Feb. 21-23. The technology fair, which was held for the first time in four years, since 2019, featured some 40 research papers and 100 scientific achievements in sectors such as metals, chemistry, electricity, materials, electronics, automation, urban management, livestock and fisheries, the newspaper said.
Translated by David Carruth. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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