North Korea International Documentation Project Explained

North Korea International Documentation Project
Type:INGO
Purpose:informational clearinghouse on North Korea
Headquarters:Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade CenterOne Woodrow Wilson Plaza1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NWWashington, DC 20004-3027
Location:Washington, DC
Language:English
Leader Title:Director
Leader Name:Christian F. Ostermann
Parent Organization:Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Affiliations:University of North Korean Studies
Institute for Far Eastern Studies
The Syngman Rhee Institute, Yonsei University

The North Korea International Documentation Project (NKIDP) is part of the History and Public Policy Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.[1] It seeks to serve as an informational clearinghouse on North Korea for both the scholarly and policy making communities by widely disseminating newly declassified documents on the DPRK from its former communist allies[2] as well as other resources that provide valuable insight into the actions and nature of the North Korean state.

History and details

The NKIDP has obtained and published documents on the history of North Korea from archives in the former Soviet Union, China, (East) Germany, Romania, Albania, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, the United States, and South Korea.[3]

NKIDP believes that the efforts of contemporary scholars and policymakers are too often hampered by a distinct lack of knowledge about the North Korean leadership and political system.[4] With no history of diplomatic relations with Pyongyang and severely limited access to the country’s elite, it is difficult for Western policymakers, journalists, and academics to understand the forces and intentions behind North Korea's enigmatic actions.[4]

In cooperation with the University of North Korean Studies (Seoul) and an international network of researchers, the NKIDP provides access to both original and translated archival documents on the DPRK, publishes an NKIDP Working Paper series, regularly contributes to the Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) Bulletin series, and holds frequent conferences and workshops at the Wilson Center[5] as well as throughout East Asia.

The NKIDP is supported by the Korea Foundation and other donors.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Acronym and Definition . The Free Dictionary . 18 September 2013.
  2. Web site: In this 1968 telegram from Pyongyang, North Korea, released by the Wilson Center North Korea International Documentation Project . Associated Press . April 10, 2013 . 22 October 2013.
  3. Web site: Archive for the ‘North Korea International Documentation Project (NKIDP)’ Category . North Korean Economy Watch . 18 September 2013.
  4. Web site: Wikileaks on North Korea Reveals Nothing New . History News Network . 22 October 2013 . Lerner, Mitch.
  5. Web site: Revisiting History: North Korea and Nuclear Weapons conference . National Asia Research Program (NARP) . 18 September 2013.