June 06, 2023

About the author

Fyodor Tertitskiy

Fyodor Tertitskiy is a leading researcher at Seoul’s Kookmin University. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Seoul National University and is the author of several books on North Korean history and military in English and Korean.

More articles by 'Fyodor Tertitskiy'

Politics and the Korean language: a history of Chinese characters in the DPRK

Politics and the Korean language: a history of Chinese characters in the DPRK

Both simplified and traditional characters remain in use to this day

Politics and the Korean language: a history of Chinese characters in the DPRK
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy July 30, 2019
Why it’s time to rethink the looming ban on North Koreans working overseas

Why it’s time to rethink the looming ban on North Koreans working overseas

The measure, scheduled for December 22, will harm regular people and work against U.S. interests

Why it’s time to rethink the looming ban on North Koreans working overseas
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy June 20, 2019
Why, in North Korea, even birth records can’t be taken at face value

Why, in North Korea, even birth records can’t be taken at face value

DPRK history is full of powerful men manipulating the past ⁠— researchers must tread carefully

Why, in North Korea, even birth records can’t be taken at face value
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy June 13, 2019
The North Korea rumor mill strikes again: the Kim Yong Chol purge that wasn’t

The North Korea rumor mill strikes again: the Kim Yong Chol purge that wasn’t

Reporters must be more responsible in separating fact from the fiction

The North Korea rumor mill strikes again: the Kim Yong Chol purge that wasn’t
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy June 3, 2019
The great survivor: after 21 years at the top, Kim Yong Nam steps down

The great survivor: after 21 years at the top, Kim Yong Nam steps down

News of the elder statesman's replacement marks the end of a remarkable political career

The great survivor: after 21 years at the top, Kim Yong Nam steps down
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy April 12, 2019
How the North is run: concluding observations
NK PRO

How the North is run: concluding observations

North Korea's history is woven into its political system -- and makes real reform seem unlikely

How the North is run: concluding observations
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy March 27, 2019
How Kim Il Sung broke free from the Soviet Union

How Kim Il Sung broke free from the Soviet Union

Pyongyang deftly exploited Moscow's weakness in securing its independence

How Kim Il Sung broke free from the Soviet Union
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy March 18, 2019
How the North is run: industry and the planned economy
NK PRO

How the North is run: industry and the planned economy

Reforms to management incentives have increased efficiency in recent years, though impediments to real growth remain

How the North is run: industry and the planned economy
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy March 15, 2019
Contingency planning: who would succeed Kim Jong Un?

Contingency planning: who would succeed Kim Jong Un?

The DPRK leader's death could lead to a major power vacuum, though stability would likely prevail

Contingency planning: who would succeed Kim Jong Un?
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy March 14, 2019
How North Korea’s highest-circulation newspaper covered the Hanoi summit
NK PRO

How North Korea’s highest-circulation newspaper covered the Hanoi summit

The Rodong highlighted how much people missed the leader — and put a positive spin on the outcome

How North Korea’s highest-circulation newspaper covered the Hanoi summit
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy March 4, 2019
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 23