The Historical Trajectory of Digital Distance Education in North Korea: A Tool for Knowledge-Based Economy and National Development

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution and implementation of North Korea's digital distance education (DDE) system, tracing its historical trajectory from its foundational roots under Kim Il Sung to its institutionalization under Kim Jong Un. While the global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital learning worldwide, North Korea’s DDE system reflects over two decades of strategic planning and development, making it a cornerstone of the nation’s knowledge-based economy initiative. The study explores the motivations behind North Korea’s sustained investment in DDE, emphasizing its integration into the state’s broader socio-economic framework. Underpinned by policies promoting the informatization of education and the development of human resources in science and technology, DDE emerged as a critical tool for addressing urban-rural disparities, enhancing workforce skills, and modernizing various sectors, including healthcare, economic management, and epidemic prevention. Far from being an isolated response to the pandemic, DDE reflects a deliberate strategy to align education with national development goals, as evidenced by the adoption of the Distance Education Law and the expansion of DDE to millions of learners. Using an analytic framework, this paper examines the major components of North Korea’s DDE system, including discourse and policy, partnerships, technological infrastructure, curriculum development, student support services, and assessment mechanisms. It highlights the system’s flexibility in adapting to challenges, such as economic sanctions and the pandemic’s constraints, through innovative solutions like real-time distance lectures, localized learning platforms, and multimedia resources. Additionally, the paper explores how DDE principles were applied beyond education to other fields, demonstrating its role in North Korea’s digital transformation strategy. By analyzing DDE's historical evolution, the paper challenges oversimplified narratives that portray North Korea’s digital education efforts as reactive measures to crises. Instead, it positions DDE as a forward-looking initiative shaped by long-term planning and a vision for societal modernization. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of how North Korea has leveraged digital education not only as a means of learning but as a strategic tool for national development.