March 29, 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'

Kim Jong Un wants North Koreans to know: China and Russia love his nukes
NK PRO

Kim Jong Un wants North Koreans to know: China and Russia love his nukes

DPRK used parade to show citizens suffering under pandemic controls that its massive military spending is all worth it

Kim Jong Un wants North Koreans to know: China and Russia love his nukes
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 28, 2023
What awaits US soldier Travis King in North Korean detention

What awaits US soldier Travis King in North Korean detention

Pyongyang subjects detainees to grueling interrogations, and a few tragic cases show that not everyone escapes unscathed

What awaits US soldier Travis King in North Korean detention
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 25, 2023
How South Korea seeks to lure the next high-level North Korean defector

How South Korea seeks to lure the next high-level North Korean defector

Evidence suggests Seoul is dangling jobs and rewards, but so far it’s getting more small fries than big fish

How South Korea seeks to lure the next high-level North Korean defector
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 21, 2023
The other American soldiers who defected to North Korea and came to regret it

The other American soldiers who defected to North Korea and came to regret it

Past defectors fled punishment similar to recent border-crosser Travis King, and their fates may reflect on his

The other American soldiers who defected to North Korea and came to regret it
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 19, 2023
Seoul and Kyiv say Korean War is like conflict in Ukraine, and not alike at all

Seoul and Kyiv say Korean War is like conflict in Ukraine, and not alike at all

Leaders have underlined similarities when it aligns with their interests, while seeking to avoid a Korean-style division

Seoul and Kyiv say Korean War is like conflict in Ukraine, and not alike at all
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 18, 2023
When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane

When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane

EC-121 incident led US to consider nuke strikes, showing how Kim Yo Jong’s recent warnings could spiral into conflict

When North Korea followed through on threats to shoot down a US spy plane
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 13, 2023
What Seoul seeks to achieve by publishing report on North Korean human rights

What Seoul seeks to achieve by publishing report on North Korean human rights

Speakers at unification ministry event call for pressuring DPRK and China, but raising awareness likely won’t be enough

What Seoul seeks to achieve by publishing report on North Korean human rights
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 12, 2023
What Yoon’s controversial unification minister pick means for inter-Korean ties

What Yoon’s controversial unification minister pick means for inter-Korean ties

North Korea likely to condemn Kim Yung-ho’s appointment, as Yoon remakes what he has disparaged as DPRK ‘aid ministry’

What Yoon’s controversial unification minister pick means for inter-Korean ties
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 7, 2023
Inside North Korea’s strategy to stop defections by officials stranded abroad

Inside North Korea’s strategy to stop defections by officials stranded abroad

The regime uses family as collateral and encourages snitching to prevent escapes, which could pick up ahead of reopening

Inside North Korea’s strategy to stop defections by officials stranded abroad
James Fretwell
James Fretwell June 23, 2023
What to make of reports that hungry North Koreans are resorting to cannibalism

What to make of reports that hungry North Koreans are resorting to cannibalism

Food shortages have likely worsened during COVID, and the longer this goes on, the more desperate the situation becomes

What to make of reports that hungry North Koreans are resorting to cannibalism
James Fretwell
James Fretwell June 16, 2023
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