The Development of North Korean Educational and Remote Examination Programs: A Journey Towards an Inclusive Society – A Focus on the North Korean Novel The Express Train to the Future

Kim, Eunjeong (2025) ” The Development of North Korean Educational and Remote Examination Programs: A Journey Towards an Inclusive Society – A Focus on the North Korean Novel The Express Train to the Future”

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Understanding the intricacies of North Korea’s educational system has always been challenging due to limited available information. However, Choi’s work provides an intricate depiction of North Korea’s educational landscape and administrative processes, rendering it an indispensable novel for comprehending the perspectives of North Korean educators and administrators. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights into the structure of North Korea’s administrative organization and the reality of its educational framework. This study endeavors to gain a profound understanding of the North Korean Ministry of Education and its administrative mechanisms through the conception and implementation of the college entrance remote examination program <Future>, as illustrated in the novel. The research critically examines North Korea’s educational system and societal structure, highlighting the transition from an exclusionary society to an inclusive one. Nevertheless, the state’s delegation of responsibilities onto parents and the inefficiencies within the organizational structure remain significant issues. The introduction of remote college entrance examinations underscores North Korea’s efforts to curtail educational expenses and achieve economic stability. However, numerous challenges remain unresolved. Through this novel, the transformations and challenges within North Korean society are portrayed with a striking degree of realism.