As is widely known, China and Korea have shared a deep bond since the era of World War II, when their people stood together to resist Japanese aggression. With the onset of the Cold War, China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), united by a common socialist ideology, embarked on parallel paths of socialist development. They faced one of the most brutal conflicts in modern history—the Korean War—side by side. During the post-war process of nation-building, both countries drew upon the friendship forged in battle, supporting each other diplomatically, economically, and in terms of security. This solidarity endured until the normalization of Sino-American relations and the end of the Cold War, during which China and the DPRK continued to maintain a strong revolutionary friendship.

This lecture will first introduce the guiding ideology of the DPRK, the development of its ruling party, and its national political structure since Kim Jong Un assumed power. It will then trace the evolution of Sino-DPRK relations, reflecting on the historical ties between the two parties and countries. Furthermore, the lecturer, who had the opportunity to study at Kim Il Sung University in the DPRK as a state-sponsored student in 2010, will conclude the lecture by sharing his personal observations and experiences from his time in North Korea.

About the speaker:

Boyuan Zhang is a scholar at Yanbian University in Jilin Province, China, holding a Ph.D. in History and specializing in contemporary Korean history and the Korean Peninsula.

Language:

English

Time & Location:

Monday, 11 May 2026, 14:00

-1.2009 großer Hörsaal, UG (Fabeckstr. 23/25)

Online participation is available. Please register via the email address: Hojye.kang[at]fu-berlin.de

About the lecture series:

This lecture series is organized by Dr. Hojye Kang and offered within the seminar “Bridging Histories, Forging Futures: Lessons from 150 Years of German-Korean Dialogue for the Eurasia Community.” It is an annual program that brings together international experts on Korea’s traditional era, the colonial period, contemporary South and North Korea, and international relations. Each lecture presents key research alongside accessible insights into methodologies, primary sources, and conceptual frameworks, offering a structured perspective on the Korean Peninsula in its broader Eurasian context. Open to students and all interested audiences.