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May 17, 2025May 17, 2025

About the author

James Fretwell

James Fretwell

James Fretwell is a PhD student focusing on Korean and Chinese history at the University of Melbourne. He was an analyst at NK News, and he has often discussed the two Koreas in interviews on the BBC, ABC News Australia, Deutsche Welle and elsewhere.

More articles by 'James Fretwell'

What if a successful Chinese invasion of Taiwan emboldens North Korea

What if a successful Chinese invasion of Taiwan emboldens North Korea

US inaction or defeat would leave allies feeling vulnerable, and push Seoul to take desperate measures for its defense

What if a successful Chinese invasion of Taiwan emboldens North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell May 9, 2025
North Korea in April 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead
NK PRO

North Korea in April 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead

An analytical look at the main developments from April 1 to April 30, 2025

North Korea in April 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead
James Fretwell
James Fretwell | NK Pro May 2, 2025
How Jimmy Carter helped prevent a devastating war with North Korea

How Jimmy Carter helped prevent a devastating war with North Korea

Former US president showed how to cool tensions, but his peace drives risked undermining incumbent administrations

How Jimmy Carter helped prevent a devastating war with North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell December 30, 2024
How a daring defection in Berlin provides a blueprint for North Koreans abroad

How a daring defection in Berlin provides a blueprint for North Koreans abroad

Studying abroad opened Chun Chol-woo’s eyes to Kim regime, and the fall of Berlin Wall provided his chance to escape

How a daring defection in Berlin provides a blueprint for North Koreans abroad
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 13, 2024
Paper provocations: Inside North and South Korea’s decades-long leaflet war

Paper provocations: Inside North and South Korea’s decades-long leaflet war

Two sides have often agreed to stop launches, but trash balloons and new dynamics could make it harder to find offramp

Paper provocations: Inside North and South Korea’s decades-long leaflet war
James Fretwell
James Fretwell June 5, 2024
Five years after Hanoi, Trump’s still keen on a nuclear deal with North Korea

Five years after Hanoi, Trump’s still keen on a nuclear deal with North Korea

Former president seems determined to rekindle friendship with Kim Jong Un, and he could make enticing offer if reelected

Five years after Hanoi, Trump’s still keen on a nuclear deal with North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell February 28, 2024
The Korean War POWs who rejected North and South Korea to go to neutral India

The Korean War POWs who rejected North and South Korea to go to neutral India

Seventy years ago, a handful of Koreans set sail for Madras, many with futile dreams of eventually settling in the US

The Korean War POWs who rejected North and South Korea to go to neutral India
James Fretwell
James Fretwell February 9, 2024
Arch nemesis: Kim Jong Un dismantled a monument — and his grandfather’s legacy

Arch nemesis: Kim Jong Un dismantled a monument — and his grandfather’s legacy

Reunification arch celebrated Kim’s predecessor, and its destruction shows North Korean leader won’t be bound by past

Arch nemesis: Kim Jong Un dismantled a monument — and his grandfather’s legacy
James Fretwell
James Fretwell January 30, 2024
How Russia’s secretive Lenin Lab helped North Korea embalm its ruling Kims

How Russia’s secretive Lenin Lab helped North Korea embalm its ruling Kims

Pyongyang paid as much as $1M to the Russian team that has preserved Lenin for 100 years, though it refuses to admit it

How Russia’s secretive Lenin Lab helped North Korea embalm its ruling Kims
James Fretwell
James Fretwell January 19, 2024
What China’s respiratory illness outbreak among children means for North Korea

What China’s respiratory illness outbreak among children means for North Korea

While DPRK is keeping tabs on situation as it reopens, expert says country likely able to mitigate health risks

What China’s respiratory illness outbreak among children means for North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell December 7, 2023
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