Archive for the ‘High Tech’ Category

DPRK publicizes nanotech sector

Friday, August 2nd, 2013

According to Yonhap:

North Korea is moving to grow its nanotech industry and produce high-tech products, Pyongyang’s state media reported Friday.

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper, an organ of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), said in an article that the country’s nanotech center that was recently built has made advances in medicine, energy, environmental conservation, light industry and farming.

Nanotechnology involves controlling matter on a molecular scale, leading to the creation of materials of high commercial value and with wide-ranging benefits.

The newspaper monitored in Seoul said the nanotech center, built under the guidance of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has played a key part in developing the sector. It added that roughly 1,000 nano products and prototypes were on display at the 10th nano science exhibition that opened on Tuesday.

North Korean media started mentioning the nanotech center in April, although no detail was made public on when it was established.

It said the country’s technicians from universities and laboratories have been able to develop agricultural sterilizers, growth accelerators, air cleaners and shoes.

The daily also said the total number of products showcased at the exhibit represents a 10-fold increase from just four years ago, highlighting the progress made by the country in the next-generation technology.

The latest news article follows another report by the North’s Korean Central News Agency that claimed in May that many practical products to cope with athlete’s foot have reached consumers in the communist country.

In June, the Choson Sinbo, a Japan-based pro-Pyongyang newspaper, said an alcoholic beverage made using nano technology enjoyed popularity in Pyongyang.

Related to the media reports, Lim Eul-chul, a research professor at Kyungnam University and North Korea expert, said emphasis on high-tech industries has become more pronounced since Kim’s ascension to power in late 2011.

He speculated that the leader may be pushing for technological advances to bolster economic growth and stimulate positive social change.

Here is a report from KCNA (2013-8-5):

Nano-technology Exhibition Held in DPRK

Pyongyang, August 5 (KCNA) — The 10th national sci-tech presentation and show in the field of nano-technology took place here from July 30 to August 2.

Attending the presentation and show were more than 20 units, including the State Academy of Sciences. 130 odd scientific papers were presented and at least 1 000 pieces of products in 260 kinds, among them nano-science and technology books, exhibited in the form of object, model and chart.

The products included nano germicide, nano photosynthetic accelerant and nano microelement compound invented by the Agricultural Nano Technology Institute under the Academy of Agricultural Science, which have been applied to hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmlands in several years to prove effective.

Nano combined antibacterial agent, nano water-purifying agent and functional nano toothbrush, produced by the Okryu Foodstuff-processing Company under the General Bureau of Public Service, drew the attention of visitors. There were also such nano health drinks, made with natural surface active agent, as nano gold and silver spring waters and nano gold and silver liquors.

Nano gold liquor helps preserve health and treat different diseases.

Nano garments, presented by the Myonghung High-tech Materials Company, have functions of antibiosis, destruction of organic matter and prevention of ultraviolet rays.

The Taedonggang Technology Company displayed carbon nano pipe and chart showing its production process.

Pyongyang Medical College of Kim Il Sung University presented nano platinum injection, nano compound plastic denture material and Saengdangssuk injection.

Besides, scientific institutes and educational establishments presented atomic force microscope, X-ray diffraction analyzer, scanning tunneling microscope and other products used in the field of nano measurement.

Achievements and experiences, gained in the field of nano technology were exchanged at the presentation and show.

And from IFES:

North Korea established nano technology center
Institute for Far Eastern Studies (IFES)
2013-8-8

North Korea’s interest in nanotechnology, the state-of-the-art science in the 21st century, is rapidly increasing.

Rodong Sinmun,the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party released an article titled “The Bright Future of the Nanotechnology,” on August 1. The Tenth Annual Nanotechnology Science and Technology Conference and Exhibition opened on July 30 and the venue of this event, National Nanotechnology Center was described in detail in the article.

The newspaper elaborated, “The National Nanotechnology Center was built under the guidance of our leader Kim Jong Un and he guided us to widely announced our achievements and experiences in this field.”

National Nanotechnology Center appeared on North Korean media occasionally from this April this year. The center is likely to have been constructed under the guidance of Kim Jong Un for the development and commercialization of nanotechnology.

Rodong Sinmunreported that nanotechnology is making great progress in the environmental, medicine, energy, agricultural and light industries and introduced nano-products such as agricultural fungicides, nano biological growth promoters, and nano-indoor air purifiers. This event displayed over 1,000 nano technology products from 20 nanotechnology research centers including Kim Il Sung University, Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Kim Chaek University of Technology and National Academy of Sciences.

Compared to 100 nanotechnology products displayed at the exhibition in 2009, the number has increased ten-fold in just four years. This clearly demonstrates North Korea’s growing fervor and investment in nanotechnology in recent years.

Similar articles about nanotechnology can be found in Choson Sinbo, a Japan-based pro-North Korean newspaper.

Choson Sinboreleased an article on June 22 that gold tassels made with nanotechnology are popular amongst shops and restaurants in Pyongyang. On May 22, the Korean Central News Agency also introduced “nano straw shoes” made with nanosilver and nano titanium that eliminate foot odor and treat athlete’s foot.

Similarly in May 3, Rodong Sinmun announced that nano-antiseptic and germ solutions were invented by scientists and technicians at the National Nanotechnology Center.

The promotion of nanotechnology is not new for North Korea. During Kim Jong Il’s era, the Second Five-Year Plan for development of science and technology (2003-2007) focused on the nano-technology as the main project, and Nano Science and Technology Conference were held annually from 2003. North Korea has been showing unrelenting investment in nanotechnology from the 2000s.

This year marks the second year of Kim Jong Un’s rule and nanotechnology is given continued attention. Kim Jong Un’s proclivity towards nanotechnology is relevant in its goal of achieving economic development through state-of-the-art science and technology. Recently it launched new slogans such as “The Industrial Revolution of the New Century,” and “building an powerhouse of knowledge economy.” Despite the international sanctions it is faced with, North Korea’s plausible option to catch up to the ‘global trend’ will be through science and technology sector.

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