Institute of East Asian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley will host Andray Abrahamian, the Executive Director of the Choson Exchange for a discussion on developments in North Korea's economic and social relations.
Each one of us has some conception of North Korea. It has forced its way into our imaginations, yet so many developments in North Korea's economic and social relations are either ignored or misinterpreted. While the authorities search for non-threatening policy experiments, young North Koreans seek opportunities in the business world. Choson Exchange focuses on supporting pragmatic, talented North Koreans through training in business, economic policy and law.
Andray Abrahamian became interested in Korea issues following a trip to the DMZ in 2003. This inspired an MA in International Relations from the University of Sussex. He then earned a PhD focusing on Western media and images of North Korea, while teaching International Relations at the University of Ulsan. He is the Executive Director of Choson Exchange and a CSIS Kelly Fellow. Andray speaks Korean and has visited the DPRK 20 times.
