PYONGYANG, September 29. /TASS/. Preparations are nearing completion for the establishment of the Education Ministry’s center the Russian language education in Pyongyang, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Andrey Podelyshev said.

"Preparations are nearing completion for the establishment of the Russian Education Ministry’s Open Education Center for the Russian language and Russian-language instruction at Pyongyang University of Education," the ambassador told the second Forum of Rectors of Russian and Korean Universities currently underway in Pyongyang, a TASS correspondent reported.

Similar centers are being established abroad to teach Russian, conduct educational and cultural outreach programs, and prepare students for further studies at Russian educational institutions.

Podelyshev noted that North Korea already has a Russian Center at the Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies, which hosts nationwide language competitions every year. "Its students demonstrate excellent Russian language skills as well as knowledge of our country’s culture and history," the diplomat stressed.

He also pointed to growing interest among young people in Russia and North Korea in the languages of the two countries. According to the ambassador, Korean students traditionally study at Russian universities under the Russian government’s quota program.

"I would like to assure our Korean colleagues that they will continue to be able to count on our assistance in training qualified specialists who are in demand in today’s labor market," Podelyshev stressed.