March 28, 2024

About the author

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'

Pyongyang pilots: When North Korean jets dueled with Israel in skies over Egypt

Pyongyang pilots: When North Korean jets dueled with Israel in skies over Egypt

DPRK opportunistically sent troops ahead of Yom Kippur War, and it may be willing to get involved in Middle East again

Pyongyang pilots: When North Korean jets dueled with Israel in skies over Egypt
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 10, 2023
How North Korea recruited overseas Koreans to kidnap Japanese citizens

How North Korea recruited overseas Koreans to kidnap Japanese citizens

Kim Kil Uk died without facing charges in Japan, and his case shows how Pyongyang used threats to get its way

How North Korea recruited overseas Koreans to kidnap Japanese citizens
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 6, 2023
Aid worker recalls fight to get food to North Koreans in time of greatest need

Aid worker recalls fight to get food to North Koreans in time of greatest need

Christy Gavitt says aid helped vulnerable and built goodwill during 90s famine, despite heavy controls on relief work

Aid worker recalls fight to get food to North Koreans in time of greatest need
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 31, 2023
Why Seoul’s threats to punish Russia for aiding North Korea won’t achieve much

Why Seoul’s threats to punish Russia for aiding North Korea won’t achieve much

Experts say Russian military aid would enrage South Korea but question if it would retaliate by sending arms to Ukraine

Why Seoul’s threats to punish Russia for aiding North Korea won’t achieve much
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 20, 2023
What the North Korean military has learned from Hamas’ deadly attacks on Israel

What the North Korean military has learned from Hamas’ deadly attacks on Israel

Experts say DPRK will note how militants exploited vulnerabilities but stress Hamas is pursuing very different goals

What the North Korean military has learned from Hamas’ deadly attacks on Israel
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 17, 2023
North Korean weapons not decisive but could sustain Russia in Ukraine: Experts
NK PRO

North Korean weapons not decisive but could sustain Russia in Ukraine: Experts

DPRK could send amunition, spare parts or rocket launchers but such support would not make ‘transformative difference’

North Korean weapons not decisive but could sustain Russia in Ukraine: Experts
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 10, 2023
Inside North Korea’s plot to assassinate South Korean leader with explosives

Inside North Korea’s plot to assassinate South Korean leader with explosives

Retired ROK Lt. Gen. Chun In-bum tells NK News about his experiences of deadly DPRK bombing in Burma 40 years ago

Inside North Korea’s plot to assassinate South Korean leader with explosives
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 9, 2023
Travis King wouldn’t be the first soldier in Korea to reject America for racism

Travis King wouldn’t be the first soldier in Korea to reject America for racism

Clarence Adams questioned why he should fight North Korea when the US discriminated against African Americans back home

Travis King wouldn’t be the first soldier in Korea to reject America for racism
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 3, 2023
To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials

Experts say leader can be lenient toward mistakes by those he trusts, but ruthless when they cross political red lines

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 28, 2023
Why North Korea could send US soldier Travis King to Russia or China

Why North Korea could send US soldier Travis King to Russia or China

King reportedly sought refuge in DPRK or third country, and experts say regime may view him as too much trouble to keep

Why North Korea could send US soldier Travis King to Russia or China
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 22, 2023
1 2 3 4 5 15