By Kevin Mittal `15, Staff Writer

On September 24^th, 2013, Matthew Reichel `05 came to Newark Academy to discuss the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), otherwise known as North Korea. Reichel, co-founder, executive director, and partner of the Pyongyang Project, focused on Korea’s insecurity and turbulent history caused by its geographical location and culture, as well as the difficulties of working in the DPRK. Though some students initially doubted his expertise, Mr. Reichel’s discussion of a misunderstood country and his efforts for change proved to be among the best talks Newark Academy has recently received.

After an introduction by Craig Haratz `14, Mr. Reichel opened with a social, political, and cultural background of Korea. Many students were unimpressed in the first few minutes, and doubted that this would be an engaging presentation. As senior Chris Roser `14 stated, “I was put off by his constant reading,” referring to the fact that Mr. Reichel read from a sheet of notes. However, the initial doubt surrounding the speaker’s knowledge disappeared as he moved into the specifics of his work. The presentation became engaging when he elaborated on his efforts to get DPRK students into high school and into Europe for different types of education, and the way he worked with North Korea’s government to do so.

Mr. Joe Ball, a former teacher of Mr. Reichel, had nothing but good things to say about his graduated student. “He was impressive,” Mr. Ball began,  “only 26 and already a role model to so many, showing courage in a misunderstood country.” Indeed, many students shared this reaction. In response to questions about his safety in DPRK, Mr. Reichel said that when he was in Pyongyang, he “never felt threatened as a foreigner.” His golden moment, however, arose when Reichel criticized the United States for not recognizing the DPRK as its own country, commenting that it greatly hurt the citizens. Between discussions of the unease in North Koreans’ lives, including the fear of being sent to concentration camps for simply saying the wrong thing, Reichel was even able to throw in a few jokes about Kim Jong Un’s love of sports and their promotion in North Korea.

Yet even after Mr. Reichel had thoroughly discussed the DPRK’s culture, he was still plied with questions about the dangers of working in this tumultuous country. One sixth grade student, No Kellen `20, was critical of his fellow classmates’ questions, stating, “They all think we’re going to die from North Korea’s nukes.” Mr. Reichel countered this incorrect assumption, addressing how the “nuclear issue” tends to eclipse the media’s attention and cause ignorance of what is really happening. Reichel’s demeanor throughout his day at Newark Academy was completely professional and composed. He received various types of questions well, talking to the entire student body as an equal. He stated his opinions as opinions and backed them up with facts and personal experience. Despite a lackluster start, Mr. Reichel left an impression on Newark Academy as one of the most compelling Global Speakers to come to the community in the past two years.