An intransigent North Korea slips from the spotlight in ROK presidential race



Analysis An intransigent North Korea slips from the spotlight in ROK presidential race Candidates have shunned inter-Korean policy amid voter apathy, but DPRK nukes still lurk behind key security debates Jeongmin Kim May 29, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo and an image released on state television of a KN-24 short-range ballistic missile launch \| Images: Democratic Party (May 2025), People Power Party (May 2025), KCTV (Jan. 18, 2022) North Korea has long been at the center of South Korean politics, with past presidential elections shaped by debates about leader-level summits, international sanctions, preemptive strike capabilities and inter-Korean cooperation. But in the lead-up to this year’s snap election, the DPRK has arguably never been further from the domestic political zeitgeist. North Korea has long been at the center of South Korean politics, with past presidential elections shaped by debates about leader-level summits, international sanctions, preemptive strike capabilities and inter-Korean cooperation. But in the lead-up to this year’s snap election, the DPRK has arguably never been further from the domestic political zeitgeist. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

An intransigent North Korea slips from the spotlight in ROK presidential race

Candidates have shunned inter-Korean policy amid voter apathy, but DPRK nukes still lurk behind key security debates

Jeongmin Kim May 29, 2025

An intransigent North Korea slips from the spotlight in ROK presidential race

Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo and an image released on state television of a KN-24 short-range ballistic missile launch | Images: Democratic Party (May 2025), People Power Party (May 2025), KCTV (Jan. 18, 2022)

North Korea has long been at the center of South Korean politics, with past presidential elections shaped by debates about leader-level summits, international sanctions, preemptive strike capabilities and inter-Korean cooperation.

But in the lead-up to this year’s snap election, the DPRK has arguably never been further from the domestic political zeitgeist.

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An intransigent North Korea slips from the spotlight in ROK presidential race

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