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December 09, 2024

About the author

James Fretwell

James Fretwell

James Fretwell is a writer based in Seoul, South Korea. 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'

The tangled fates of the Koreas and the UN: An NK Pro deep dive
NK PRO

The tangled fates of the Koreas and the UN: An NK Pro deep dive

NK Pro explores the UN’s pivotal role on the peninsula as North and South mark 30 years since becoming full UN members

The tangled fates of the Koreas and the UN: An NK Pro deep dive
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 17, 2021
A hotline history: Why North Korea changes the game when it picks up the phone

A hotline history: Why North Korea changes the game when it picks up the phone

The Kim regime has dictated the pace of events on the peninsula by choosing when — and when not — to answer the phone

A hotline history: Why North Korea changes the game when it picks up the phone
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 27, 2021
No more defectors? What the drop in numbers means for North Korea and the world
NK PRO

No more defectors? What the drop in numbers means for North Korea and the world

Circumstances in the DPRK are dire, and lack of new arrivals cuts off key information source

No more defectors? What the drop in numbers means for North Korea and the world
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 22, 2021
Book review: Robert R. King’s ‘Patterns of Impunity’

Book review: Robert R. King’s ‘Patterns of Impunity’

The former Obama official convincingly argues why human rights should remain a top priority for Washington

Book review: Robert R. King’s ‘Patterns of Impunity’
James Fretwell
James Fretwell June 18, 2021
Three years on, little for US and North Korea to build on from Singapore deal
NK PRO

Three years on, little for US and North Korea to build on from Singapore deal

The Korean Peninsula is now far further from the ‘peace and prosperity’ promised in 2018

Three years on, little for US and North Korea to build on from Singapore deal
James Fretwell
James Fretwell June 11, 2021
Overpromised, underdelivered? Moon hopes to save his inter-Korean legacy
NK PRO

Overpromised, underdelivered? Moon hopes to save his inter-Korean legacy

Moon has one year left to shift status quo with North Korea, but needs help from the U.S. to make it happen

Overpromised, underdelivered? Moon hopes to save his inter-Korean legacy
James Fretwell
James Fretwell May 19, 2021
Silence on North Korea’s reunification committee bad sign for talks with South
NK PRO

Silence on North Korea’s reunification committee bad sign for talks with South

Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country largely invisible after prominent role in historic rapprochement

Silence on North Korea’s reunification committee bad sign for talks with South
James Fretwell
James Fretwell May 13, 2021
Why South Korea’s Democrats are still the best of a bad bunch for North Korea
NK PRO

Why South Korea’s Democrats are still the best of a bad bunch for North Korea

North Korea may bash South Korea's ruling party from time to time, but they're still better than the alternatives

Why South Korea’s Democrats are still the best of a bad bunch for North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell May 6, 2021
The US policy review is finished, but it’s same old, same old to North Korea
NK PRO

The US policy review is finished, but it’s same old, same old to North Korea

The Biden administration says it will pursue diplomacy and deterrence, but all North Korea sees is more hostile policy

The US policy review is finished, but it’s same old, same old to North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell May 2, 2021
With only a year left, Moon pitches American public on his hope for peace
NK PRO

With only a year left, Moon pitches American public on his hope for peace

South Korea’s president tries to sway US citizens and entice Biden to pick up from where his predecessor dropped out

With only a year left, Moon pitches American public on his hope for peace
James Fretwell
James Fretwell April 22, 2021