About the author
More articles by 'Andrei Lankov'
Nuclear weapons tempt Seoul, but the obstacles to armament are insurmountable
Despite growing North Korean threat, ROK nuclear ambitions face US opposition and risk incurring economic sanctions
The eccentric South Korean intellectual in Pyongyang’s employ
Song Du-yul acted as an enthusiastic propagandist for the regime and likely held a prominent role in the bureaucracy
The Kim regime’s failed witch hunt against magic and ‘superstition’
Shamans and fortune-tellers continue to operate in North Korea despite crackdowns and punishments
Siberian jackpot: When North Koreans paid bribes for Soviet logging jobs
DPRK loggers earned exorbitant salaries for decades, and many North Koreans still seek to strike it rich abroad
How North Korea has limited, controlled and surveilled dangerous outsiders
The recent exodus of diplomats from Pyongyang underlines the DPRK’s long-standing suspicions toward foreigners
North Korea isn’t fretting about a long COVID-19 lockdown
Chinese aid will keep regime afloat as DPRK shows little interest in a quick return to pre-pandemic life
Despite signs of crisis in North Korean leadership, regime can weather the storm
Kim Jong Un appears to be having serious health problems, but contingency measures ensure the elite can survive a crisis
Where is North Korea heading? Major political rule changes may tell us
No mention of Kims, coolness toward unification and revival of communism offer guideposts for next several years
North Korea’s ruling party rule revisions presage trouble at the top
New first secretary position is likely preparation for death or long-term incapacitation of Kim Jong Un
Missiles, money and ginseng: A North Korean spy in the Cold War
A weapons factory worker in Kiev was one of Pyongyang’s great spy assets in the 1970s
