Analysis
Latest NK Pro analysis related to the DPRK
Full list: Who’s sitting next to Kim Jong Un at the Eighth Party Congress?
Seating arrangements tell a greater story about North Korean political ranks and where key figures are headed
January 8, 2021
Mystery man: Kim Hyong Sik’s rise to head of the DPRK’s new judicial department
The unknown official’s promotion and creation of new department suggest more emphasis on rule by law in North Korea
January 8, 2021
How Biden’s foreign policy and defense picks could affect North Korea
Biden recently picked Wendy Sherman, Kathleen Hicks, Victoria Nuland and Colin Kahl to join his team
January 7, 2021
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
January 6, 2021
North Korea and China upgraded nearly all border trade crossings in 2020
In a likely push for trade, Pyongyang and Beijing poured resources into roads and other projects for a post-COVID-19 era
January 6, 2021
China-DPRK trade was on the rise, but plunged in 2020 over COVID-19
North Korea leaned into unsustainable trade deficits with China, and then COVID-19 disrupted it all
January 5, 2021
Report: The rise in North Korea-China relations and what it means for 2021
While COVID-19 has halted most exchange, indicators suggest momentum between two allies will continue after virus passes
January 4, 2021
Timeline: From the 80-day battle’s end to the controversial leaflet ban
NK Pro timeline charts the key events from Dec. 1 - Dec. 31
December 31, 2020
Moon is on a race to North Korea’s good side, but he probably won’t win in 2021
In the twilight of his term, South Korea’s president faces a long line of hurdles and has few remaining cards to play
December 31, 2020
Timeline: How North Korean propaganda hyped Kim Jong Un in 2020
DPRK propaganda in 2020 spoke to Kim Jong Un’s growing cult of personality and changing leadership style
December 30, 2020
