United World College (UWC) in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has issued a press release on Thursday (September 29) announcing the acceptance of North Korean student Kim Han Sol.
Kim Han Sol is the grandson of North Korean leader Kim Jong II. The 16-year old will be the first student from North Korea to attend a UWC and benefit from the transformational educational experience that UWC offers, it was said in a press release. Kim Han Sol will arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina once his visa has been approved.
“The UWC movement identifies diversity as one of its core values. In bringing students together from a range of cultural, social and economic backgrounds, we can further our mission to make education a force for peace and a sustainable future. We aim to develop students who are multi-cultural, socially confident and morally responsible. During their time at UWC, alongside their academic studies, students participate in a variety of community service activities and develop skills to resolve the tensions within and across society. We expect that all students who participate in our programme, from whatever background, will ultimately be of service and influence in their home and the wider global community.
Li Po Chun UWC, based in Hong Kong, has been operating an outreach programme with North Korea for a number of years, sending student ambassadors to the country to engage with young North Koreans and learn more about life in their country. The enrollment of the first North Korean student to a UWC is a natural consequence of this relationship,” UWC Mostar stated.
Keith Clark, Executive Director, UWC International commented: “UWC is proud of the transformational nature of its education. Diversity is key to the educational experience and each year UWC welcomes a diverse cross section of students to its schools, colleges and programmes.”