Andrei Lankov | NK News
October 06, 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'

Summit subterfuge? Why Putin may be bluffing about tech transfers to North Korea
COLUMN

Summit subterfuge? Why Putin may be bluffing about tech transfers to North Korea

Russian leader met Kim Jong Un with one eye on South Korea, likely hoping to compel Seoul not to send weapons to Ukraine

Summit subterfuge? Why Putin may be bluffing about tech transfers to North Korea
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov September 21, 2023
North Korea is creaking open. But foreigners shouldn’t start packing their bags.
COLUMN

North Korea is creaking open. But foreigners shouldn’t start packing their bags.

Return of DPRK citizens is likely beginning of gradual relaxation of border controls that may take months, or even years

North Korea is creaking open. But foreigners shouldn’t start packing their bags.
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov August 30, 2023
Big Brother lives: How North Korean organizations keep watch on citizens
COLUMN

Big Brother lives: How North Korean organizations keep watch on citizens

Mandatory membership in one of five groups creates a network of surveillance and indoctrination that no one can evade

Big Brother lives: How North Korean organizations keep watch on citizens
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov August 28, 2023
Iron Curtain 2.0: How North Korea has embraced Soviet-style border security
COLUMN

Iron Curtain 2.0: How North Korea has embraced Soviet-style border security

Kim Jong Un appears determined to stop cross-border movement, and history suggests the DPRK is capable of doing so

Iron Curtain 2.0: How North Korea has embraced Soviet-style border security
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov August 23, 2023
How a secret plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader spiraled out of control
COLUMN

How a secret plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader spiraled out of control

South Korea enlisted criminals to seek revenge for attempt to kill president, only for plan to end in bloodshed in Seoul

How a secret plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader spiraled out of control
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov August 7, 2023
Conspicuous cooperation: Why Shoigu made a show of buying arms from North Korea
COLUMN

Conspicuous cooperation: Why Shoigu made a show of buying arms from North Korea

Russia could have discussed weapons sales discreetly, but it chose ostentation to send a political message

Conspicuous cooperation: Why Shoigu made a show of buying arms from North Korea
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov August 1, 2023
Kim Yo Jong is barking at the US, but North Korea probably won’t bite
COLUMN

Kim Yo Jong is barking at the US, but North Korea probably won’t bite

Flurry of statements is likely an attempt at verbal deterrence, not a harbinger of violence or signal DPRK seeks talks

Kim Yo Jong is barking at the US, but North Korea probably won’t bite
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov July 20, 2023
Shocked Soviets: What embassy records reveal about North Korean market activity
COLUMN

Shocked Soviets: What embassy records reveal about North Korean market activity

Declassified archives show DPRK was a tough place to live even during era now remembered for stability

Shocked Soviets: What embassy records reveal about North Korean market activity
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov July 5, 2023
Send Donald Trump to North Korea to break the impasse in bilateral talks

Send Donald Trump to North Korea to break the impasse in bilateral talks

The US cannot afford disengagement with Pyongyang and should use former president as a crude tool to jump-start dialogue

Send Donald Trump to North Korea to break the impasse in bilateral talks
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov June 14, 2023
In Washington, worries of ROK nukes steal spotlight from North Korean missiles
COLUMN

In Washington, worries of ROK nukes steal spotlight from North Korean missiles

US capital has shifted focus to trilateral pacts with Tokyo, info dissemination into DPRK — and China above all

In Washington, worries of ROK nukes steal spotlight from North Korean missiles
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov June 5, 2023
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