A University of Georgia agricultural delegation, after making
a historic trip to North Korea in October, hopes to host North
Korean scientists this spring.

The researchers, from the UGA College of Agricultural and
Environmental
Sciences, were the first U.S. academic delegation to visit North
Korea since the country closed its doors during the Korean
War.

Cycles of drought and flooding have brought widespread famine
to North Korea. The UGA researchers visited the country with
hopes
of helping scientists there solve some of their agricultural
problems.
They hoped, too, to begin a cultural exchange that would benefit
both countries.

Joint Research Projects May
Develop

Ed Kanemasu, coordinator of CAES international programs and
a member of the delegation, said the trip may lead to
collaborative
research projects between UGA and two North Korean organizations:
the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Pyongyang Agricultural
University.

“Our group met for three days with the vice-president
of the academy and several of his institute directors,”
Kanemasu
said. “They acknowledged the poor agricultural conditions
and need for assistance from the University of Georgia.”

Kanemasu said the scientists discussed mutual areas of
interest.
In particular, they examined sweet potato and potato production,
plant protection, soil and water management, biotechnology and
poultry management.

To define the areas of research collaboration, CAES Dean Gale
Buchanan and Academy Vice-President Sam Ryong Kim signed a letter
of intent. Buchanan invited a delegation from the academy to
visit
the UGA CAES campus this spring.

“The purpose of the visit is to lay the foundation for
projects and long-term visits,” Kanemasu said. “It was
agreed that we should begin seeking funding opportunities for
our collaboration from federal agencies and the private
sector.”

While in North Korea, the UGA delegation also met with
scientists from Pyongyang Agricultural University. Their
scientists were
also interested in working with UGA scientists, but made no
definite
commitments.

Planning and Funding are Next
Steps

The UGA scientists’ next step will be to develop a strategic
plan for the collaborative research projects and seek funding.
“This is a timely activity,” Kanemasu said, “and
it’s important that we proceed aggressively.”

During their five-day visit in October, the UGA group was
hosted by the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee. The APPC serves as
intermediaries between North Korea and the Western world.