A senior lecturer at the University of Sydney has faced major backlash since returning from a ‘solidarity visit’ to North Korea in August.
Tim Anderson was labelled an ’embarrassment’ to ‘academia’ on returning from the week-long ‘learning tour’ by Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham, the Herald Sun reports.
It’s believed the self proclaimed internationalist was joined by Canadian journalist Eva Bartlett from Russia Today and North Korean tour guide ‘Young’.
Senior Sydney University lecturer, Tim Anderson, has been labelled an ’embarrassment’ after showing consistent displays of support to North Korea
They reportedly embarked on a tour of the regime’s capital in Pyongyang where they visited the resting place of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il.
Dr Anderson documented the trip via social media, where he referred to the figures as ‘two historic leaders’.
He also shared a photo to his Twitter account of Ms Bartlett proudly displaying the North Korean flag with the caption: ‘SolIdarity with the independent #Korean people in the face of renewed US aggression. #DPRK’.
He has faced major backlash since returning from a ‘solidarity visit’ to North Korea in August, where toured the regime’s capital in Pyongyang
Mr Birmingham accused the controversial lecturer of ‘crossing the line’ with his displays of loyalty to North Korea.
‘It’s one thing to foster debate at university but you cross the line when you back an evil dictatorship that murders its citizens and is posing an increasing threat to global security,’ he said.
‘Mr Anderson has shown time and time again his extreme views should not be given a platform to shape the minds of students.’
He shared a photo to his Twitter account of Ms Bartlett proudly flying the North Korean flag
But the University is yet to take action over the lecturer’s bizarre connection with the ‘evil dictatorship’, claiming teachers allowed to ‘spend their leave however they wish’.
The international politics lecturer, who is on a salary of up to $130,000, also visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone during the trip.
He has been consistently vocal about his firm belief that the US is the country which ‘refuses a peace treaty.’
Dr Anderson is also a member of the group, ‘Hands Off Syria’, and has been contacted for comment.
Mr Birmingham accused the controversial lecturer of ‘crossing the line’ with his displays of loyalty to North Korea, following close documentation of his trip to social media