North Korea recently created a new program in the country\u2019s State Security University (SSU) to strengthen the technical expertise of Ministry of State Security (MSS) officials, Daily NK has learned.<\/p>\n
SSU, which is located in Pyongyang’s Mangyongdae District, trains professional staff for each department of the MSS.<\/p>\n
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the establishment of a new three-year degree at SSU on May 26 with courses focused on international information warfare, the detection and monitoring of radio signals, information communications and communications device engineering, according to a Daily NK source in the country on June 9.<\/p>\n
While SSU already offers lectures in radio signal detection and information communications, they were not considered major parts of the school’s general curriculum. In line with Kim\u2019s new order, the creation of a new program with a focus on these courses appears to be aimed at cultivating MSS officers with specialties in these fields.<\/p>\n
The source noted that Kim’s latest order stems from a decision made during an expanded meeting of the country\u2019s Central Military Commission on May 23. During this meeting, Kim signed the \u201cDirective for Organizational Reform to Elevate the Role and Responsibility of Key Military Education Institutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis [document] reflects the Supreme Leader\u2019s intent to ensure the MSS takes charge of defending the [country\u2019s] ideology,\u201d the source told Daily NK.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn short, this means setting up our own \u2018electronic barriers\u2019 at the national border and gaining competence in modern science and technology such as information communications and computer programs in order to wage intelligence warfare against foreign powers,\u201d he continued, adding, “The MSS has established a plan to train professionals capable of taking on this work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MSS\u2019s cadre training department planned to hold exams and complete recruitment for the new program from June 5 \u2013 9. Students entering the program will assemble at the school by the end of August to prepare for the start of the semester on Oct. 1.<\/p>\n
The first batch of students will be selected from among those who have worked at the agency\u2019s domestic counterespionage department, overseas counterespionage department, communications department, radio signal detection department or political events department after graduating from a university in Pyongyang or from a technical college. The school will also only select military officers aged 30 or below for the new program.<\/p>\n
In particular, officers who have received recognition for handling ‘foreign hostage issues’ in partnership with the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be given priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, North Korea is seeking to produce a team of experts adept at counterespionage and managing foreign intelligence networks by training young, talented individuals who are loyal to the party and who are politically pure,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n
The SSU is a separate entity from Kim Hyok Security University, an institution located in the Gangso district of Nampo that specializes in training the country’s security officials.<\/p>\n
Please direct any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.<\/i><\/p>\n