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December 14, 2024

Columns

Columns on the latest North Korea issues from analysts, academics and renowned experts. Views expressed by our columnists are exclusively the authors’ own.

In 6 hours, Yoon did the impossible: Make North Korea look like the rational one
COLUMN

In 6 hours, Yoon did the impossible: Make North Korea look like the rational one

Martial law tarnished South Korea’s image as reliable security partner, and hopes for bigger role in US nuclear policy

In 6 hours, Yoon did the impossible: Make North Korea look like the rational one
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 13, 2024
Gifts of lions and bears mask fundamental weakness of Russia-North Korea ties
COLUMN

Gifts of lions and bears mask fundamental weakness of Russia-North Korea ties

Despite flurry of activity, recent exchanges show two sides have few areas for meaningful economic cooperation

Gifts of lions and bears mask fundamental weakness of Russia-North Korea ties
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 2, 2024
On the border: What it’s like to visit remote islands on North Korea’s doorstep
COLUMN

On the border: What it’s like to visit remote islands on North Korea’s doorstep

A new series walks readers through key locations on the inter-Korean border, starting with two islands in the Yellow Sea

On the border: What it’s like to visit remote islands on North Korea’s doorstep
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll November 25, 2024
North Korea’s troop dispatch to Ukraine is Kim Jong Un’s riskiest decision yet
COLUMN

North Korea’s troop dispatch to Ukraine is Kim Jong Un’s riskiest decision yet

Fighting in Russia’s war opens a Pandora’s box of dangers, from conflict with ROK to undermining support for regime

North Korea’s troop dispatch to Ukraine is Kim Jong Un’s riskiest decision yet
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll November 12, 2024
How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment
COLUMN

How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment

Moscow needs soldiers for war of attrition but fears backlash to draft, giving Pyongyang an opportunity to capitalize

How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov October 25, 2024
How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals
COLUMN

How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals

Refusal to consider anything short of complete denuclearization is increasing pressure on South Korea to go nuclear

How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll September 18, 2024
Why Yoon’s new plan to unify with North Korea is more politics than policy
COLUMN

Why Yoon’s new plan to unify with North Korea is more politics than policy

Regime change and unification by absorption are unrealistic, suggesting main goal is to appeal to president’s base

Why Yoon’s new plan to unify with North Korea is more politics than policy
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov August 19, 2024
Seoul and Moscow’s war of words over North Korea is all bark and no bite
COLUMN

Seoul and Moscow’s war of words over North Korea is all bark and no bite

Two sides have traded threats around Ukraine war since signing of Putin-Kim defense pact, but both prefer the status quo

Seoul and Moscow’s war of words over North Korea is all bark and no bite
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov August 1, 2024
How rigidly socialist North Korea embraced capitalism, on its own eclectic terms
COLUMN

How rigidly socialist North Korea embraced capitalism, on its own eclectic terms

The DPRK turned to foreign trade companies to earn cash when state agencies failed, sometimes through outlandish schemes

How rigidly socialist North Korea embraced capitalism, on its own eclectic terms
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov July 26, 2024
Don’t believe the hype: Russia-North Korea defense pact won’t upend status quo
COLUMN

Don’t believe the hype: Russia-North Korea defense pact won’t upend status quo

Moscow is an unreliable treaty ally that shirks security promises, and two sides have few ways to expand economic ties

Don’t believe the hype: Russia-North Korea defense pact won’t upend status quo
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov June 25, 2024
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