May 08, 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.

Kim recently took his father’s title, but that’s only going to weaken his rule
COLUMN

Kim recently took his father’s title, but that’s only going to weaken his rule

Trashing Kim Jong Il's legacy will only serve to undermine the very bloodline Kim Jong Un draws his legitimacy from

Kim recently took his father’s title, but that’s only going to weaken his rule
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 2, 2021
With Trump gone, Kim Jong Un will realize that he bet on the wrong horse
COLUMN

With Trump gone, Kim Jong Un will realize that he bet on the wrong horse

The North Korean leader spent a lot of time wooing a U.S. president that’s about to be replaced by hardliner Joe Biden

With Trump gone, Kim Jong Un will realize that he bet on the wrong horse
Dennis P. Halpin
Dennis P. Halpin January 20, 2021
Kim Jong Un’s grave-robbing promotion is his biggest mistake yet
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Kim Jong Un’s grave-robbing promotion is his biggest mistake yet

The North Korean leader is committing ideological heresy by taking Kim Jong Il’s general secretary position

Kim Jong Un’s grave-robbing promotion is his biggest mistake yet
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy January 12, 2021
Kim Jong Un’s nixed New Years speech shows just how stressed he really is
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Kim Jong Un’s nixed New Years speech shows just how stressed he really is

After an isolated year mired by economic hardship, the North Korean leader couldn’t be bothered with ceremonious remarks

Kim Jong Un’s nixed New Years speech shows just how stressed he really is
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 1, 2021
Why Kim Jong Un couldn’t be bothered with more ‘on-the-spot’ guidances in 2020
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Why Kim Jong Un couldn’t be bothered with more ‘on-the-spot’ guidances in 2020

It may be a North Korean tradition, but the young ruler is making his own leadership traditions this year

Why Kim Jong Un couldn’t be bothered with more ‘on-the-spot’ guidances in 2020
Tatiana Gabroussenko
Tatiana Gabroussenko December 25, 2020
A North Korean textbook shows that Pyongyang and Beijing are still ‘frenemies’
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A North Korean textbook shows that Pyongyang and Beijing are still ‘frenemies’

By all indications, Pyongyang and Beijing really cozied up in 2020. But a recent history book suggests otherwise.

A North Korean textbook shows that Pyongyang and Beijing are still ‘frenemies’
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 17, 2020
For once, we begin to agree: Korea is not divided. It’s two separate states.
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For once, we begin to agree: Korea is not divided. It’s two separate states.

Recently, a South Korean newspaper on the left and right both published op-eds arguing the same thing

For once, we begin to agree: Korea is not divided. It’s two separate states.
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 16, 2020
With Biden in office, South Korea shouldn’t be the US and North Korea’s mediator
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With Biden in office, South Korea shouldn’t be the US and North Korea’s mediator

Seductive to some, the idea of South Korea as a go-between is deeply flawed

With Biden in office, South Korea shouldn’t be the US and North Korea’s mediator
Aidan Foster-Carter
Aidan Foster-Carter November 30, 2020
Kim Jong Un’s money manipulation is bad news — and there’s likely more to come
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Kim Jong Un’s money manipulation is bad news — and there’s likely more to come

The North Korean government is rolling back old decisions at the detriment of the economy

Kim Jong Un’s money manipulation is bad news — and there’s likely more to come
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov November 26, 2020
Column: At least Moon Jae-in’s North Korea policy is consistent
COLUMN

Column: At least Moon Jae-in’s North Korea policy is consistent

Moon’s stance is crystal clear. South Korea’s conservative leaders, on the other hand, were zigzaggers.

Column: At least Moon Jae-in’s North Korea policy is consistent
Aidan Foster-Carter
Aidan Foster-Carter October 15, 2020
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