March 29, 2024

About the author

Thomas Schäfer

Thomas Schäfer was German ambassador to North Korea from 2007 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2018. He has just published the book “From Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un: How the Hardliners Prevailed. On the Political History of North Korea (2007-2020).”

More articles by 'Thomas Schäfer'

Why North Korean hardliners will fight any return to the pre-pandemic status quo
NK PRO

Why North Korean hardliners will fight any return to the pre-pandemic status quo

Mixed signals on reopening point to ongoing efforts by some in regime to keep foreigners out, regardless of the costs

Why North Korean hardliners will fight any return to the pre-pandemic status quo
Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer December 12, 2023
Biden, along with Tokyo and Seoul, should propose liaison offices to Pyongyang
NK PRO

Biden, along with Tokyo and Seoul, should propose liaison offices to Pyongyang

A trilateral offer would show the allies' will for diplomacy and mark a departure from previous US policy

Biden, along with Tokyo and Seoul, should propose liaison offices to Pyongyang
Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer September 22, 2021
Why do so many people believe Kim Jong Un holds absolute power?
NK PRO

Why do so many people believe Kim Jong Un holds absolute power?

The evidence suggests he does not rule alone

Why do so many people believe Kim Jong Un holds absolute power?
Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer June 8, 2021
What we lost with North Korea’s dwindled expat population: A diplomat’s account
NK PRO

What we lost with North Korea’s dwindled expat population: A diplomat’s account

Ambassador Thomas Schäfer recalls what he learned from his firsthand experiences in the DPRK

What we lost with North Korea’s dwindled expat population: A diplomat’s account
Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer April 28, 2021
Why North Korea paradoxically does and does not want to boost its economy
NK PRO

Why North Korea paradoxically does and does not want to boost its economy

Many carrots have been dangled in front of the DPRK, but leaders don’t want economic growth to ruin their political sway

Why North Korea paradoxically does and does not want to boost its economy
Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer January 6, 2021
North Korean moderates need their power back — or nuclear talks won’t succeed
NK PRO

North Korean moderates need their power back — or nuclear talks won’t succeed

Major political shifts in the DPRK leadership are derailing negotiations today

North Korean moderates need their power back — or nuclear talks won’t succeed
Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer September 10, 2020