German culture centre opens in N.Korea

[Kellanved]

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German culture body has opened a information centre in North Korea, promising the population of the isolated communist state an uncensored insight into German life and thinking.

The Goethe Institute, Germany's cultural promotion body, said on Wednesday it had insisted that all citizens, including the media, be allowed free access and that its information be uncensored by Pyongyang, which maintains tight control of its own media.

...
The centre in the capital Pyongyang is the fruit of three years of negotiations with North Korean authorities and will house newspapers, magazines and information on German culture as well as scientific and technical publications.

North Korea, which U.S. President George W. Bush branded as part of an "axis of evil" with Iran and Iraq in 2001, is still technically at war with South Korea and is accused by Washington of pursuing a nuclear arms programme.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=522145§ion=news


Press Release:
http://www.goethe.de/en118865.htm

[henslee]

1. Now this is how you win hearts & minds. Du-uh. Share....civilly.

With no overt alterior motive.

[Just Me]

2. This is an impressive development.

At least, I find it quite impressive considering the extreme isolationism by NK.

[Ediacara]

3. This has to be a joke

I mean..... wow if this is for real, this kiosk could single handedly bring down the Kim-Juche cult.

Who did they have to sleep with to have the Kims let them build this!?

[TexasMexican]

4. What type of German Culture...

are they teaching in North Korea?