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October 16, 2026Oct 16, 2026

About the author

Benjamin R. Young

Benjamin R. Young

Benjamin R. Young, Ph.D. has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dakota State University and the U.S. Naval War College. He was a 2024-25 Stanton Foundation Nuclear Security Fellow at the RAND Corporation. He is now an Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies at Fayetteville State University. He is the author of the book "Guns, Guerillas, and the Great Leader: North Korea and the Third World" (Stanford University Press, 2021).

More articles by 'Benjamin R. Young'

Revival of ‘Three Revolutions’ a sign Kim Jong Un is losing ideological control

Revival of ‘Three Revolutions’ a sign Kim Jong Un is losing ideological control

Short turnaround since last conference suggests North Korea aims to root out anti-socialist ideas, boost production

Revival of ‘Three Revolutions’ a sign Kim Jong Un is losing ideological control
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young November 22, 2021
Why the Sandinistas sent Kim Il Sung a stuffed crocodile carrying drinks

Why the Sandinistas sent Kim Il Sung a stuffed crocodile carrying drinks

DPRK support for the Nicaraguan revolutionaries dates back to early 1970s and reflects support for liberation movements

Why the Sandinistas sent Kim Il Sung a stuffed crocodile carrying drinks
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young November 8, 2021
North Korea’s ‘white tiger’ art studio constructing panoramas and statues abroad

North Korea’s ‘white tiger’ art studio constructing panoramas and statues abroad

While Mansudae is more famous, the little-known Paekho studio can raise funds for the regime while avoiding detection

North Korea’s ‘white tiger’ art studio constructing panoramas and statues abroad
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young October 29, 2021
Why one city in Nepal worships North Korea and follows ‘Juche’ ideology

Why one city in Nepal worships North Korea and follows ‘Juche’ ideology

A mistrust of outsiders and desire for self-reliance drive Bhaktapur to embrace North Korean style communism

Why one city in Nepal worships North Korea and follows ‘Juche’ ideology
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young October 18, 2021
The contentious field of North Korean studies: Schools of thought and divisions
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The contentious field of North Korean studies: Schools of thought and divisions

Analysts and researchers often disagree on core issues, from how to label the Kim regime to the DPRK’s nuclear program

The contentious field of North Korean studies: Schools of thought and divisions
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young September 24, 2021
Guns in one hand: Kim Jong Un’s revitalization of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards

Guns in one hand: Kim Jong Un’s revitalization of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards

Elite force featured in parade is akin to the National Guard, helping to repel invasion and respond to natural disasters

Guns in one hand: Kim Jong Un’s revitalization of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young September 17, 2021
How Xi Jinping’s growing personality cult differs from Kim family worship

How Xi Jinping’s growing personality cult differs from Kim family worship

North Korea’s idolatry is rooted in past accomplishments while China’s Xi stakes his legitimacy on future performance

How Xi Jinping’s growing personality cult differs from Kim family worship
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young September 13, 2021
Understanding North Korea’s ‘final victory’ and why it matters

Understanding North Korea’s ‘final victory’ and why it matters

For top North Korean officials, the quickest way to ensure their system’s long-term survival is through reunification

Understanding North Korea’s ‘final victory’ and why it matters
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young September 6, 2021
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
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