Planting Korean Nut Trees

At the end of April, I travelled to Asia with a group of people that were interested in and curious about North Korea. Our experience was one of hospitality, warmth, a thirst for knowledge and even exuberant joy. Even I was surprised by the openness with which we were received. We spent two days investing...

Korean Mandu Recipe

Mandu are Korean dumplings with variations of fillings. They can be deep fried, steamed, cooked or pan fried. The dough is easy to make and the filling can be made to taste. In Korea Mandu are eaten as an appetizer, for the main course, as a snack or in a soup. Dough You can buy...

Using a Tram – it is possible in Northkorea

Every time I travel to Korea I discover new things. This time we passed a brand new tram. In Pyongyang too, the growing amount of traffic must be accommodated. The trolley bus fleets were the first to be modernised and the trams seem to be next in line. I am pleased about the investment in...

Trees are more than Firewood

The forests of North Korea have long been under threat. At the beginning of the last century the economic development under Japanese occupation led to the shrinkage of the forest area. During the Korean War in the 50s huge forest areas and most of the old trees were burned down or largely destroyed by chemical...

Stirling Engines used in Physics Classes

During my September’s traveling week I visited some companies and cooperatives. I already reported about this in our October Newsletter and will now add some more impressions and experiences. It is a meaningful moment when our chief engineer presents me with the newly published Stirling book. The translated title is "External (Stirling) Combustion Engines –...

Potato Cultivation in Switzerland

At the beginning of November a group of North Korean specialists visited Germany and Switzerland to learn more about potato growing and also about processing and mechanisation. Daniel Gerster, long-standing expert in Korea, organised a diverse specialist programme at Agroscope, a crisps manufacturer and at several farms. We were pleased to see the translator of...