Surely you have heard of it. Korea University stands here in Kodaira Tokyo. It is more than just a school. It represents a bridge between cultures and a testament to history.
Korea University was established on April 10 1956. The North Korea-affiliated organization Chongryon founded it. Korean serves as the primary language of instruction here.
The university has eight four-year faculties. These include Political Economy and Literature and History. Business Foreign Languages and Science and Technology are also included. Education and Physical Education complete the list.
The university also has a two-year faculty. It offers courses in accounting and social care. There is even a post-graduate school. Korea University provides a university-level education. However it is not officially recognized as a university under Japanese law. It is classified as a miscellaneous school.
Since 1956 the school has received annual funding from North Korea. Between 1956 and 1958 North Korea invested millions. They used it to acquire the land. They also established the curriculum for the school. In 2002 Kim Jong Il directed further funding. It totaled over ¥132 million.
Most graduates pursue careers with Chongryon. Others become teachers at Chongryon-affiliated schools. Chang Byong Tae once served as the school’s rector. He graduated from Kyoto University. He also conducted research in France.
Recruiting new students has become challenging. This is partly due to Japan’s growing preference for South Korea. Ethnic Koreans in Japan are also increasingly aligning with the South.
In recent years a South Korean anthropologist Cha Eun-jeong visited the school. Initially they denied her entry. They explained that they do not accept guests from the Southern side. Eventually they granted her access. She expressed interest in helping to bridge North–South relations.
Cha observed approximately 500 students. They all lived in the school’s dormitories. The school places a strong emphasis on Korean identity. It encourages close relationships between teachers and students. Portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are prominently displayed. Students generally hold conciliatory views towards South Korea. Cha attributed this to generational distance. She also noted the increasing preference towards South Korea among Japanese people.
Korea University continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing dynamics between North and South Korea. It also addresses the perspectives of ethnic Koreans in Japan. It remains a unique institution. It preserves Korean heritage. It also fosters understanding in a globalized world.