North Korea is often seen as an “irrational” and “unpredictable” country. However, the very fact that the ship of North Korean statehood has successfully weathered storms that capsized regimes that looked far more solid says a lot.
The people who govern North Korea know exactly what they want and are skilled at finding a way out of situations that seem hopeless. This doesn’t always benefit the country’s population, but one cannot deny the North Korean elite’s ability to set goals, establish priorities, and assess the surrounding world with clear eyes.
So, what do the people who rule North Korea — the “top 0.1%” — actually want? Their main task is to preserve the existing system and their position at its head. Achieving this is no simple matter, and although retaining power has been and remains their top priority, it is not their only goal.
Our lecture will explore how North Korea is structured and what else, apart from holding onto power, those who lead the country are striving to achieve.
After the lecture:
— Q&A session (ask your most interesting questions!)
— Book signing with an opportunity to purchase books by Andrei Lankov
— Photo with the author — capture the moment with someone who knows what’s happening in North Korea
Andrei Lankov is a Russian historian, Orientalist, and a leading global expert on North Korea. He holds a Doctor of Historical Sciences degree and is a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the politics, history, and culture of the Korean Peninsula. Lankov is frequently featured in international media as an expert on North Korea's domestic and foreign policy.
When: February 25th at 19:00 PM (doors open at 18:30 PM)
Where: Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel, 2nd floor
The lecture will be held in Russian.
Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel • Sadama tänav 11a, 10111 Tallinn, Harju maakond, Estonia
