The world's most closed country is how North Korea is often referred to. But is this really true? In a lecture on 11 November, historian and journalist Casper van der Veen will show that there is more to tell about North Korea than is often assumed. Casper specialises in the history of the totalitarian country, which he will go through at lightning speed this evening. This will also make what is often seen as irrational and unpredictable North Korea easier for us to understand, without any kind of endorsement.

Apart from history, Casper will also discuss the current dictator Kim Jong-un, why the country wants nuclear weapons and why the population does not revolt despite decades of hunger, tyranny and poverty. Of course, he will also talk about current affairs, such as Kim's military support for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and how Pyongyang's cyber armies managed to carry out the biggest digital bank robbery in history. There will be room for questions after the lecture.

Casper van der Veen (1986) studied history and philosophy at Utrecht University. For more than ten years, he has been writing as a journalist on North and South Korea, among others for NRC Handelsblad, De Groene Amsterdammer and Reformatorisch Dagblad. Casper can also be heard regularly on NPO Radio 1. In 2018, he wrote the book 'The Kim Dynasty. History of North Korea (1945 - present)'. He is currently working on a second book on North Korea, for which he spent five weeks as a reporter in South Korea earlier this year.

The drinks reception starts at 18:00 and the meal follows punctually at 19:00, after which the lecture can start at 20:00. Ending at around 22:00.

Further information, or to register, can be found at: kringrotterdam@kivi.nl

Please note that a payment link to pay the participation fee for members will be sent in advance.