April 30, 2024

About the author

Andrei Lankov

Andrei Lankov is a Director at NK News and writes exclusively for the site as one of the world's leading authorities on North Korea. A graduate of Leningrad State University, he attended Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University from 1984-5 - an experience you can read about here. In addition to his writing, he is also a Professor at Kookmin University.

More articles by 'Andrei Lankov'

Another Myanmar? Why there won’t be a military coup in North Korea any time soon
COLUMN

Another Myanmar? Why there won’t be a military coup in North Korea any time soon

The North Korean military knows they must hang together with the Kim regime, or be hanged separately

Another Myanmar? Why there won’t be a military coup in North Korea any time soon
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 3, 2021
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
North Korea’s not going to change — no nuke deal, no regime change, no reform

North Korea’s not going to change — no nuke deal, no regime change, no reform

Pyongyang knows that nukes and unquestioning leadership unity are both crucial to its survival

North Korea’s not going to change — no nuke deal, no regime change, no reform
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 29, 2021
‘The big hunt’: When North Korean agents almost killed South Korea’s president

‘The big hunt’: When North Korean agents almost killed South Korea’s president

North Korea came dangerously close to assassinating President Park Chung-hee in the Blue House in Seoul on Jan. 21, 1968

‘The big hunt’: When North Korean agents almost killed South Korea’s president
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 21, 2021
It’s not about nukes. The real news is North Korea’s dangerous economic reforms.

It’s not about nukes. The real news is North Korea’s dangerous economic reforms.

North Korea pursued economic reform for the last 10 years, but decisions at the Party Congress will undo that progress

It’s not about nukes. The real news is North Korea’s dangerous economic reforms.
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 15, 2021
Kim Jong Un’s nixed New Years speech shows just how stressed he really is
COLUMN

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
A North Korean textbook shows that Pyongyang and Beijing are still ‘frenemies’
COLUMN

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.
COLUMN

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
North and South Korea will never, ever reconcile. We should adjust expectations.

North and South Korea will never, ever reconcile. We should adjust expectations.

The actual goal is to establish, within the Korean Peninsula, a sensible and mild variety of the Cold War regime. 

North and South Korea will never, ever reconcile. We should adjust expectations.
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 4, 2020
Kim Jong Un’s money manipulation is bad news — and there’s likely more to come
COLUMN

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
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