Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries explained

Context:north
Hangul:대외문화련락위원회
Hanja:對外文化連絡委員會
Rr:Daeoe munhwaryeollak wiwonhoe
Mr:Taeoe munhwaryŏllak wiwŏnhoe

The Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (CCRFC;) is a North Korean organization tasked with organizing cultural exchange with other countries.[1]

The committee was founded when the North Korean state was declared. It was modeled after its Soviet equivalent, the All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.[2] Initially the organization sought to generate goodwill toward North Korea abroad, but after the North Korean famine it has concentrated on acquiring resources.[3] It seeks hard currency from tourism, cultural diplomacy, and foreign direct investment.[2]

The committee supports the Korean Friendship Association and other friendship societies. The staff of the committee leads a relatively cosmopolitan life with access to foreign travel, people, and goods. Its personnel includes higher-ups in the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the state security apparatus. The staff arrange business deals with foreigners to evade international trade restrictions and receive a share of the proceeds. Although these deals have had limited success, the committee remains influential as a point of contact for journalists and other foreign visitors, whose guides may be representatives of the committee.[2] Its activities overlap and to some extent compete with those of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The current chairwoman is Kim Jong-suk and vice-chairman So Ho-won.[4] [5] It is based in Pyongyang.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries . . 11 January 2011 . 11 February 2019 .
  2. Web site: North Korea's Cultural Relations Strategy . North Korean Economy Watch . 2 March 2008 . 11 February 2019 .
  3. Web site: Philippines donates to DPRK school . North Korean Economy Watch . 7 July 2011 . 11 February 2019 .
  4. Web site: Science Book Fair Opens . North Korea Leadership Watch . 12 September 2018 . 11 February 2019 .
  5. Web site: DPRK-Cuba Solidarity Committee Meets . North Korea Leadership Watch . 23 February 2018 . 11 February 2019 .
  6. Book: Worldwide Government Directory with Intergovernmental Organizations 2013. 2013. CQ Press. 978-1-4522-9937-2. 890.