North Korean top alumni gather in South Korea

Kim Il Sung University is the alma mater of most members of North Korea’s elite. Leader Kim Jong-un graduated from the 67-year-old institution named after his grandfather, the country’s founding leader. So did his father, Kim Jong-il. But there’s no alumni association for Kim Il Sung University in North Korea. In fact, such a thing would be a grievous breach of the law, reports the Korea JoongAng Daily.

North Korea is against factionalism, family ties and regionalism, and private gatherings are prohibited. The only gatherings allowed must be associated with the Workers’ Party or affiliated groups. But an alumni association for the university has finally been started – in South Korea.

As the trickle of defectors turned into a steady stream, more and more have come from North Korea’s elite, and many are alumni of Kim Il Sung University. The Seoul Chapter of the Kim Il Sung University Alumni Association – the only chapter – was started in 2011 and has 30 members. Among them are politicians, journalists, civil servants, researchers, Oriental medicine doctors and businessmen. Their ages range from the early 30s to late 70s.
Full report on the Korea JoongAng Daily site