James Fretwell | NK News
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November 14, 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'

State media silence fosters uncertainty around COVID vaccinations in North Korea
NK PRO

State media silence fosters uncertainty around COVID vaccinations in North Korea

DPRK has yet to confirm reports it’s administering Chinese doses, two months after Kim first mentioned inoculation plans

State media silence fosters uncertainty around COVID vaccinations in North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 16, 2022
Not even Joe Biden is convinced China can rein in North Korea
NK PRO

Not even Joe Biden is convinced China can rein in North Korea

President warns Xi of increased military presence if DPRK tests nuke, but unclear if China wants to or can pressure DPRK

Not even Joe Biden is convinced China can rein in North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 15, 2022
How the US and North Korea teamed up to fight a common enemy — pirates

How the US and North Korea teamed up to fight a common enemy — pirates

A US destroyer answered a distress call from the DPRK’s Dai Hong Dan off the Somali coast 15 years ago

How the US and North Korea teamed up to fight a common enemy — pirates
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 1, 2022
How a disputed sea border could trigger North and South Korea’s next big crisis

How a disputed sea border could trigger North and South Korea’s next big crisis

Recent artillery shootouts in the Yellow Sea harken back to deadly DPRK attacks on civilians and military in past

How a disputed sea border could trigger North and South Korea’s next big crisis
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 24, 2022
With artillery blitz, North Korea puts inter-Korean military deal in crosshairs
NK PRO

With artillery blitz, North Korea puts inter-Korean military deal in crosshairs

South Korea feels hamstrung by unilaterally adhering to deal, but scrapping it would increase the risk of conflict

With artillery blitz, North Korea puts inter-Korean military deal in crosshairs
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 19, 2022
Why China’s Party Congress is unlikely to deter North Korea from missile tests
NK PRO

Why China’s Party Congress is unlikely to deter North Korea from missile tests

Launches could disrupt benefactor’s big moment, but Beijing appears to be taking Pyongyang’s side on drills over US

Why China’s Party Congress is unlikely to deter North Korea from missile tests
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 14, 2022
Pushing the envelope? Full Trump-Kim letters released but authenticity unclear

Pushing the envelope? Full Trump-Kim letters released but authenticity unclear

South Korean journal provides full text of letters for first time but tells NK News it has never seen original copies

Pushing the envelope? Full Trump-Kim letters released but authenticity unclear
Ethan Jewell
Ethan Jewell | James Fretwell October 7, 2022
God save the Kims: How North Korea’s ruling regime came to love royal families

God save the Kims: How North Korea’s ruling regime came to love royal families

North Korea has criticized hereditary succession but is the only communist country to have done it twice

God save the Kims: How North Korea’s ruling regime came to love royal families
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 23, 2022
North Korea finally wants vaccines. The question is where it will get them.
NK PRO

North Korea finally wants vaccines. The question is where it will get them.

Inoculations are much needed but come too late for many who suffered through outbreak and under pandemic restrictions

North Korea finally wants vaccines. The question is where it will get them.
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 12, 2022
Why the next 30 years of South Korea-China ties won’t be as rosy as the last
KOREA PRO

Why the next 30 years of South Korea-China ties won’t be as rosy as the last

Seoul will find it difficult to balance relations between U.S. and China due to intensifying great power competition

Why the next 30 years of South Korea-China ties won’t be as rosy as the last
James Fretwell
James Fretwell August 24, 2022
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