North Korea, reportedly, is stepping up efforts to develop scientific technology for economic revival while at the same time working to bring stabilization to the new government led by Kim Jong-un for three years since he took office as first secretary of the ruling Workers’ party.

In particular, the North is reported to show much interest in electronic payment systems appearing in the global market. It is well known that Kim Jong-un in his early 30s, who directly experienced the information and communications revolution, has put a lot of efforts into technology development in the field of information and communications technology

“North Korea is keenly interested in electronic payment systems such as PayPal,” said Park Chan-mo (79), an honorary president, who teaches students in Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, in an interview with the Maeil Business Newspaper. He elaborated on the changing North Korean society during the three year regime of Kim Jong-un.

Mr Park stayed in Pyongyang in the fall semester and taught North Korean students, returning home late last month. He usually instructs pupils in the spring and fall semesters staying in Pyongyang. Mr Park, who has free access to North Korea since he is a US citizen, was deeply involved in the establishment of the university, frequently visiting Pyongyang since 2001.

“Researchers showed huge interest in electronic payment systems such as Google Wallet and PayPal and asked a lot of questions to Eric Emerson Schmidt, chairman of Google, when he visited the Korea Computer Center (KCC), North Korea’s flagship think tank for information and technology,” he said.

By Kim Sung-hoon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]