UK suspends N. Korean English teacher training after nuclear test

By Chyung Eun-ju, Park Si-soo

The British government has halted its training program for North Korean English teachers following the reclusive state’s nuclear test on Sunday, according to the Voice of America (VOA).

The British Council, a London-based international educational institute, has run the program for 17 years in the North, but stopped it on Wednesday, three days after the British government issued a travel warning for the North.

The U.K.’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised “against all but essential travel to North Korea (DPRK)” in a statement issued on Sunday.

“There remains a threat of further missile or nuclear tests, which could lead to further instability in the region,” the FCO said.

In May 2000, the FCO agreed with North Korea on an English Language Teacher Training Program (ELT), in support of the U.K.’s policy of “critical engagement.”

The program was unique compared with other educational programs in North Korea because its priority was for “trainers” of the British Council to teach North Korean instructors on best practices and methodology.