Skepticism a must as rumors run wild about former North Korean foreign minister

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Skepticism a must as rumors run wild about former North Korean foreign minister

A Japanese outlet claims Ri Yong Ho was executed during long absence, but officials reported dead have reappeared before

Chad O'Carroll January 4, 2023

Skepticism a must as rumors run wild about former North Korean foreign minister

Former DPRK foreign minister Ri Yong Ho at the U.N. General Assembly | Image: United Nations/Cia Pak

Is a North Korean official alive dead or alive? The answer to that seldom matters in the world of DPRK news coverage. Once a senior figure is reported executed or purged by one outlet, the rest of the pack covers regardless.

Now it’s Ri Yong Ho’s turn, North Korea’s former foreign minister.

About the Author

Chad O'Carroll

Chad O'Carroll is the founder of NK News/NK Pro and related holding company Korea Risk Group. In addition to being the group's CEO, O'Carroll is a frequent writer and commentator about the Koreas, having written about the two nations since 2010. He has visited the DPRK multiple times, worked and lived in Washington, D.C. with a focus on peninsula issues, and lived in the ROK since 2016.

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