April 25, 2024

About the author

Benjamin R. Young

Benjamin R. Young is an Assistant Professor of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University). He is the author of Guns, Guerillas, and the Great Leader: North Korea and the Third World (Stanford University Press, 2021). He received his Ph.D. from The George Washington University in 2018. He has previously taught at the U.S. Naval War College and Dakota State University. He has published peer-reviewed articles on North Korean history and politics in a number of scholarly journals and is a regular contributor to NK News.

More articles by 'Benjamin R. Young'

What the US withdrawal from Afghanistan means for North Korea

What the US withdrawal from Afghanistan means for North Korea

Pyongyang hardliners may think their idea of reunification is real again, but Korea differs vastly from Afghanistan

What the US withdrawal from Afghanistan means for North Korea
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young August 18, 2021
As economy struggles, North Korea invokes self-reliance to inspire workers

As economy struggles, North Korea invokes self-reliance to inspire workers

Juche is being reemphasized in Kim Jong Un’s North Korea. That’s not a good sign for the North Korean economy

As economy struggles, North Korea invokes self-reliance to inspire workers
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young August 12, 2021
Ideology still drives North Korea and China together

Ideology still drives North Korea and China together

The dream of socialism may be dead in Eastern Europe but it is alive and well in East Asia

Ideology still drives North Korea and China together
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young August 5, 2021
North Korea’s relations with Cuba: Revolutionary comrades and brothers-in-arms

North Korea’s relations with Cuba: Revolutionary comrades and brothers-in-arms

Long united against U.S interventionism, the Havana protests show how far apart the two friends’ societies have drifted

North Korea’s relations with Cuba: Revolutionary comrades and brothers-in-arms
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young July 13, 2021
In Kim Jong Un’s speeches, Marx returns to North Korea

In Kim Jong Un’s speeches, Marx returns to North Korea

Reappearance of communism in country's discourse suggests regime's loss of ideological control due to pandemic

In Kim Jong Un’s speeches, Marx returns to North Korea
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young July 7, 2021
Why North Koreans are worried about Kim Jong Un’s weight loss

Why North Koreans are worried about Kim Jong Un’s weight loss

The DPRK may be highlighting his physical sacrifices to motivate citizens to work harder during the COVID-19 pandemic

Why North Koreans are worried about Kim Jong Un’s weight loss
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young June 29, 2021
How North Korea has waged ‘a war to improve nature’

How North Korea has waged ‘a war to improve nature’

Reforestation drive to create ‘treasure and gold mountains’ seems to be working

How North Korea has waged ‘a war to improve nature’
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young June 2, 2021
How North Korea supports Palestine and aided Hamas

How North Korea supports Palestine and aided Hamas

North Korea may have supplied illicit arms to Hamas, but support for Palestinian liberation goes much deeper

How North Korea supports Palestine and aided Hamas
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young May 20, 2021
“Kingdom of discrimination”: North Korea’s long interest in U.S. race relations

“Kingdom of discrimination”: North Korea’s long interest in U.S. race relations

The DPRK has for decades served as a notable, but deeply insincere, supporter of African American struggle

“Kingdom of discrimination”: North Korea’s long interest in U.S. race relations
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young June 2, 2020
How sensationalizing Kim Jong Un clouds the real reason he can maintain his rule

How sensationalizing Kim Jong Un clouds the real reason he can maintain his rule

Focus on the North Korean leader as a person detracts from the structures that keep the Kim family in power

How sensationalizing Kim Jong Un clouds the real reason he can maintain his rule
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young May 27, 2020
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