JOY ELLEN YOON

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First Foreigner Awarded a Medical Ph.D. in the DPRK

From time to time, we receive inquiries from other organizations or entities asking us how we are able to do what we do in North Korea. Ignis Community (a.k.a. Sunyang Hana) has built from the ground up treatment and awareness for children with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy and autism in the DPRK. However, this process was not short nor easy. It was a direct result of the many years we have spent inside the nation, building relationships, and paving the way for children with special needs.

During our first trip into the capital city, we began to feel strongly that something great was in store for our family. We knew that Pyongyang was the gateway for the rest of the country and that building opportunities there would be essential for unlocking doors to the entire nation. But, it was not until Stephen’s second trip that opportunities began to open up and that this dream started to come true.

The Two of Us in Route to Pyongyang

We were unprepared for what was in store for us. Not only was Stephen being drilled eight hours a day on his medical competency, but in the evening, every night, he was questioned about his ideology. Stephen learned that he needed to be completely honest with the officials. If his answers were even slightly unclear, they would continue to ask him the same questions over and over again. It was much better to be consistently honest. As requested, he even wrote down his entire life story for the North Korean government.

After intense scrutiny, a panel of doctors finally came to the point. "We have been testing you thoroughly because we see the value of your medical field. Because your specialty does not require extensive, expensive equipment nor a lot of electricity, we feel that it would be a great asset to the North Korean medical system. We would like you to start a medical center here to train doctors in your specialty."

Stephen wisely responded, "Thank you for this great opportunity. I, too, think that this specialty can greatly enhance the public's health in North Korea. However, many foreigners before me have started medical centers only to be forced to leave the medical facility to the government. How can I be sure this does not also happen to me? I would like to receive some kind of official permission from the North Korean government so that I can continue to train and teach doctors on a long-term basis."

"Would you like to earn a North Korean Ph.D. in medicine? That would ensure that you could train and teach doctors here indefinitely."

"Is that even possible? How would I go about earning a Ph.D.? Couldn't I just transfer my degree from the United States?”

"We cannot just give you a degree for free. You would have to earn it. But, we could assign you a group of researchers to help produce the research necessary for your doctoral thesis.  If you write up a Ph.D. thesis and pass your oral exams, we could consider granting you a North Korean doctoral degree. That would qualify you for any medical work in the country. This is a very high honor. North Korea does not grant doctoral degrees from universities like other countries. Only a select few people have the opportunity to earn a doctorate, and the awarding of the degree comes directly from the government, itself."

"Has any foreigner ever done this before?"

"Yes, there have been several to earn degrees in history and philosophy, but you would be the first foreigner to earn a North Korean degree in medicine."

Over the next two and a half years, Stephen made several trips in and out of the city. With a team of researchers from a local hospital, he studied the effects his specialty had on the North Korean population. He wrote up a doctoral dissertation and presented it to a panel of doctors and scientist. Finally, he passed his oral exams. He was to be awarded a North Korean Ph.D. in medicine!

Up until this time, most of his trips into this city were made alone. The children and I were not allowed to accompany him into the capital city. We stayed in the northeast area while he traveled back and forth. When it came time for Stephen to receive his Ph.D., we requested that I be present for the ceremony. This was no small request. The ceremony was to take place in Congress Hall. Never before had an American not of Korean ethnicity been granted permission to enter Congress Hall. We were somewhat skeptical of my chances.

Then, the official visa came through! Three of us, Stephen, myself and Stephen’s father, would be attending the ceremony. We would then continue to stay for the celebrations of the Founding Leader's Birthday. 

This time when we stepped off the plane, a camera crew greeted us. Everywhere we went we were followed by a personal videographer and photographer. An old black Mercedes chauffeured us wherever we went. We felt like celebrities.

The day of the ceremony arrived. Stephen prepared his doctoral speech in the hotel room that morning. I put on my traditional Korean dress for the ceremony. Our local guide went out and bought flowers as a congratulatory gift.

We drove up to Congress Hall. A guard opened the gate for us and escorted us to the side entrance. News reporters and journalists were waiting for us outside the room where the ceremony was to take place. They interviewed Stephen for the newspaper. The departmental head for the Board of Education and the Vice-Prime Minister arrived to officiate the ceremony.  Most of the researchers and doctors who were part of the doctoral thesis panel came to attend the ceremony.

The Vice-Prime Minister announced, "Stephen...please come forward to receive your degree."

Stephen stepped forward into the center of the room. Doctors and officials lined up on the right side of the room. Stephen’s father and I were placed on the left. Video crews prepared to record the ceremony for the evening news. The departmental head of the Board of Education stood in front next to the Vice-Prime Minister.

"On behalf of the North Korean government, I here fore, present to Stephen..., a representative of Ignis Community, the award of doctorate in medicine. Congratulations!"

Stephen received his degree and shook hands with the Vice-Prime Minister. Then several doctors came forward to place an award around Stephen's neck. They pinned him with the doctoral star. The audience applauded. My eyes teared up, "Is this really happening?" I thought. New opportunities were opening for us in North Korea. It was beyond our wildest imaginations. Thoughts kept running through our minds, "Who are we to deserve such honor?"

Stephen Yoon Receiving a Medical Ph.D. in the DPRK

It was in April 2011 that Stephen received his DPRK Ph.D. in Medicine. Now, almost ten years later, we are still forging paths for individuals with spinal and developmental disabilities in North Korea. This journey has not been a rapid success. In fact, it is still just yet beginning. However, we continue to cling to the hope and promise that one day a great break-through will occur not only in the capital city but also for the entire nation. We believe that our dream of providing medical treatment, education, a hope and a future for children with various developmental disabilities will one day come to full fruition.