March 19, 2024

About the author

Andrei Lankov

Andrei Lankov is a Director at NK News and writes exclusively for the site as one of the world's leading authorities on North Korea. A graduate of Leningrad State University, he attended Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University from 1984-5 - an experience you can read about here. In addition to his writing, he is also a Professor at Kookmin University.

More articles by 'Andrei Lankov'

Fears of Trump return shake a Washington that has all but forgotten North Korea
COLUMN

Fears of Trump return shake a Washington that has all but forgotten North Korea

Apathy about DPRK will likely persist if Biden is reelected, but Beltway insiders expect dramatic changes if Trump wins

Fears of Trump return shake a Washington that has all but forgotten North Korea
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov March 6, 2024
By forsaking unification, North Korea also abandoned the South’s radical left
COLUMN

By forsaking unification, North Korea also abandoned the South’s radical left

Policy change has stunned pro-DPRK groups in South Korea, which have long viewed regime as champion of national unity

By forsaking unification, North Korea also abandoned the South’s radical left
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 26, 2024
A North Korean invasion is no longer unthinkable. But it’s still unlikely.
COLUMN

A North Korean invasion is no longer unthinkable. But it’s still unlikely.

Robert Carlin and Siegfried Hecker’s warning of war has Washington fretting as the DPRK prepares long-term for conflict

A North Korean invasion is no longer unthinkable. But it’s still unlikely.
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 19, 2024
Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast
COLUMN

Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast

DPRK watchers in Tokyo say abductee issue and US pressure remain hurdles to engagement as Chongryon continues to decline

Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 1, 2024
From Moscow to Pyongyang: How Russia’s anger toward West drove it to North Korea
COLUMN

From Moscow to Pyongyang: How Russia’s anger toward West drove it to North Korea

Russia began to reengage the DPRK around turn of millennium, but decades of effort have only recently born fruit

From Moscow to Pyongyang: How Russia’s anger toward West drove it to North Korea
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 12, 2024
North Korea finally faces facts — Koreas are separate states, not compatriots
COLUMN

North Korea finally faces facts — Koreas are separate states, not compatriots

Kim Jong Un spurns reunification in dramatic shakeup of inter-Korean policy, but don’t expect much else to change

North Korea finally faces facts — Koreas are separate states, not compatriots
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 2, 2024
From Moscow to Pyongyang: A new Russia turns its back on North Korea
COLUMN

From Moscow to Pyongyang: A new Russia turns its back on North Korea

Collapse of the Soviet Union led to breakdown in political and trade ties, but this state of affairs would not last

From Moscow to Pyongyang: A new Russia turns its back on North Korea
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 21, 2023
From Moscow to Pyongyang: North Korea pivots back toward the Soviet side
COLUMN

From Moscow to Pyongyang: North Korea pivots back toward the Soviet side

The DPRK repaired ties with USSR after cozying up to Beijing, and Moscow provided aid despite distaste for regime

From Moscow to Pyongyang: North Korea pivots back toward the Soviet side
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 12, 2023
From Moscow to Pyongyang: How North Korea broke with Soviets and embraced China
COLUMN

From Moscow to Pyongyang: How North Korea broke with Soviets and embraced China

The DPRK used the Korean War to start playing its allies off each other, a strategy it still employs to this day

From Moscow to Pyongyang: How North Korea broke with Soviets and embraced China
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov November 29, 2023
From Moscow to Pyongyang: The birth of North Korea under Soviet control
COLUMN

From Moscow to Pyongyang: The birth of North Korea under Soviet control

A new NK News series explores the history of bilateral ties and what it says about DPRK’s partnership with Russia today

From Moscow to Pyongyang: The birth of North Korea under Soviet control
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov November 17, 2023
1 2 3 4 43