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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.

North Korea takes step closer to dream of conquering South with solid-fuel ICBM
COLUMN

North Korea takes step closer to dream of conquering South with solid-fuel ICBM

DPRK seeks to keep US from intervening in conflict, a strategy pushing ROK toward developing its own nuclear deterrent

North Korea takes step closer to dream of conquering South with solid-fuel ICBM
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov April 20, 2023
Why even hawkish Yoon administration won’t ignore a North Korean peace offensive
COLUMN

Why even hawkish Yoon administration won’t ignore a North Korean peace offensive

Pyongyang can manipulate pro-engagement, anti-Japan factions with a simple olive branch to Seoul — even if it’s all talk

Why even hawkish Yoon administration won’t ignore a North Korean peace offensive
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov | Justin Yeo April 10, 2023
How North Korea’s education fever has driven a boom in private tutoring
COLUMN

How North Korea’s education fever has driven a boom in private tutoring

Academic achievement is increasingly important in DPRK for success, leading parents to spend heavily on illegal lessons

How North Korea’s education fever has driven a boom in private tutoring
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov March 21, 2023
How illegal North Korean farms could fend off the next famine
COLUMN

How illegal North Korean farms could fend off the next famine

Private hillside fields known as ‘sotoji’ have long been a major source of sustenance but undercut reforestation efforts

How illegal North Korean farms could fend off the next famine
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov March 16, 2023
North Korean threats of war are nothing new. But not all of it is empty bluster.
COLUMN

North Korean threats of war are nothing new. But not all of it is empty bluster.

Kim Yo Jong’s warning about a US ‘declaration of war’ is common in DPRK bombast and shouldn’t be taken at face value

North Korean threats of war are nothing new. But not all of it is empty bluster.
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov March 14, 2023
How elite North Korean women have shattered the glass ceiling under Kim Jong Un
COLUMN

How elite North Korean women have shattered the glass ceiling under Kim Jong Un

Daughter’s frequent appearances and women in key posts showcase shifting attitudes about roles women can play

How elite North Korean women have shattered the glass ceiling under Kim Jong Un
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 17, 2023
In the North Korean economy, the almighty US dollar still reigns supreme
COLUMN

In the North Korean economy, the almighty US dollar still reigns supreme

Repeated currency reforms have eroded trust in the DPRK won, making foreign money essential for many transactions

In the North Korean economy, the almighty US dollar still reigns supreme
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 7, 2023
Why North Korea mistrusts but depends on its foreign-educated elite
COLUMN

Why North Korea mistrusts but depends on its foreign-educated elite

Pyongyang regards most who study abroad as Manchurian candidates that are fundamentally disloyal to the Kims

Why North Korea mistrusts but depends on its foreign-educated elite
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 30, 2023
How the ROK’s education obsession puts North Korean defectors at a disadvantage
COLUMN

How the ROK’s education obsession puts North Korean defectors at a disadvantage

DPRK schooling standards lag far behind South Korea, and money can be a major obstacle to academic success

How the ROK’s education obsession puts North Korean defectors at a disadvantage
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 20, 2023
In a conflict with North Korea, the South has much more to lose
COLUMN

In a conflict with North Korea, the South has much more to lose

The DPRK cares little about dead soldiers, but there will be nationwide outrage in ROK if tensions turn to skirmishes

In a conflict with North Korea, the South has much more to lose
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 12, 2023
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