Bratislava, Slovakia—UPF organized an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Korean Independence Movement.
The meeting of March 19, 2019, described the events of 1919 and also the geopolitical aspects of the division on the Korean Peninsula today.
The famous journalist and expert on secret services Igor Cibula accepted our invitation to share the insights he gained during a recent visit to North Korea.
As soon as UPF advertised the event “North Korea Viewed by Igor Cibula,” it drew notable attention. Naturally, the public conference hall in the city center was packed; no chair was left empty.
First, Miloš Prochazka, Ph.D., a specialist on Korean history, introduced the March First Movement on the background of the geopolitical situation at that time.
Afterward, Igor Cibula showed photographs he made during his trip to North Korea in September 2018. He visited sites in the capital, Pyongyang, and the city of Kaesong—including factories, educational facilities, and museums—as well as the Demilitarized Zone.
The audience delighted in his humorous accounts about encounters and discussions with North Korean youth, tour guides, teachers, functionaries and others. He presented not only a visitor’s observations but also his expertise in geopolitics gained over several decades.
Mr. Cibula praised the Koreans for having much intelligence and many skills and being exemplary, tidy and polite. Still, he said he viewed the prospects for a fast reunification of the Korean Peninsula as rather dim.
During the question-and-answer session the two guest speakers responded to the questions and comments alternatively.
When leaving, numerous guests praised UPF for this rewarding experience and wanted to know when the next lecture would be scheduled.