In 2004, EKF was able to start its training activities in and for North Koreans. In June, EKF sent North Korean patent examiners to Beijing to participate in the EPO-SIPO Joint Training Seminar for Junior Patent Examiners. Furthermore, EKF organised a Seminar on the International Monetary and Financial System and a Workshop on Custom Practices in Pyongyang. The seminars and the workshop were geared towards North Korean students and experts. Some of the participants had also been taking English courses provided by two English instructors from Canada.
EPO-SIPO Joint Training Seminar for Junior Patent Examiners
From June 21 to June 26, 2004, EKF sent four North Korean patent examiners to Beijing in order to participate in the EPO-SIPO Joint Training Seminar for Junior Patent Examiners on patent examination practices. Based upon an agreement between EUCCK and the European Patent Office, the organizing committee of the seminar covered the expenses of the four participants.
Seminar on the International Monetary and Financial System
From June 30 to July 2, 2004, EKF co-organised and held a seminar on ¡°The International Monetary and Financial System,¡± with the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The seminar took place in Pyongyang and fifty North Korean economic experts, government officials, and researchers participated.
The seminar was opened with remarks by Mr. Kim Ki Su, Vice Chairman of APIETE/ MoFA, and by Her Excellency Ms. Doris Hertrampf, German Ambassador to DPRK. The seminar consisted of a series of lectures on the international monetary and financial systems, which was followed by extensive and enthusiastic Q&A sessions. During the Q&A sessions, the participants asked many questions, which, unfortunately, could not all be answered in the amount of time given. Therefore, it was decided to extend the seminar, which was originally planned as a two-day seminar, for another half day session, during which the participants could ask further questions.
The Programme
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Morning Session:
9.00 – 11.00 Lecture 1: The international monetary and financial system - an overview
11.10 – 12.00 Question and Answer Session
Afternoon Session:
14.00 – 16.00 Lecture 2: Monetary transformation, monetary integration, and monetary
cooperation
16.10 – 17.00 Question and Answer Session
17.00 – 18.00 Open Discussion
Thursday, July 1, 2004
Morning Session:
9.00 – 11.00 Lecture 3: Understanding monetary and banking crises
11.10 – 12.00 Question and Answer Session
Afternoon Session:
14.00 – 16.00 Lecture 4: Financing development - the role of capital flows for economic growth
16.10 – 17.00 Question and Answer Session
17.00 – 18.00 Open Discussion
Workshop on Customs Practices
On July 5, 2004, EKF organized and held a workshop on ¡°Customs Practices¡± with Mr. Christoph Sorg from the European Customs Office of the European Commission. The seminar took place in Pyongyang and thirty North Korean customs officials, economic experts, and economics professors attended this workshop.
The seminar was followed by in-field visits and consultations. The plane ticket for Mr. Sorg was sponsored by Lufthansa.
