North Korea doubles down on English education amid growing tensions with US

FILE - Schoolchildren at Jon U Junior Middle School take an English lesson in the Moranbong District of Pyongyang, North Korea, March 21, 2024. FILE - Schoolchildren at Jon U Junior Middle School take an English lesson in the Moranbong District of Pyongyang, North Korea, March 21, 2024.

In contrast to the open hostility toward the United States, North Korea has been doubling down on English education in its public schools under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, according to North Korea internal documents, textbooks and other educational materials reviewed by VOA’s Korean Service.