Information Center on North Korea

The Information Center on North Korea occupies the fifth floor of the National Library of Korea and houses over 100,000 North Korean publications and media materials. The collection includes every edition of the Rodong Sinmun newspaper as well as the complete written works of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

The center was founded in 1989 and gathers materials from North Korea through official channels in Pyongyang as well as purchases from sources in Russia and China. These acquisition methods have enabled the development of one of the most comprehensive collections of North Korean documents outside the country.

The collection displays children's books and school materials from North Korea that reveal how education and daily life function there. These objects offer visitors direct insight into the society's approach to learning and everyday routines.

Access is primarily designed for researchers and scholars who wish to work with the archives. Visitors should check ahead to learn whether registration or special conditions are required for entry.

The center is part of the North Korea International Documentation Project and offers digitized archives and historical documents from former communist allies. This collaboration makes it a valuable resource for understanding the broader historical transitions of the 20th century.

Location: Seoul

Inception: 1989

Website: http://unibook.unikorea.go.kr

GPS coordinates: 37.49757,127.00297

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:02