May 06, 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.

Analysis

No more defectors? What the drop in numbers means for North Korea and the world

Circumstances in the DPRK are dire, and lack of new arrivals cuts off key information source

James FretwellJames FretwellJuly 22, 2021
Evergreen

Book review: Robert R. King’s ‘Patterns of Impunity’

The former Obama official convincingly argues why human rights should remain a top priority for Washington

James FretwellJames FretwellJune 18, 2021
Analysis

Three years on, little for US and North Korea to build on from Singapore deal

The Korean Peninsula is now far further from the ‘peace and prosperity’ promised in 2018

James FretwellJames FretwellJune 11, 2021
Analysis

Overpromised, underdelivered? Moon hopes to save his inter-Korean legacy

Moon has one year left to shift status quo with North Korea, but needs help from the U.S. to make it happen

James FretwellJames FretwellMay 19, 2021
Analysis

Silence on North Korea’s reunification committee bad sign for talks with South

Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country largely invisible after prominent role in historic rapprochement

James FretwellJames FretwellMay 13, 2021
Analysis

Why South Korea’s Democrats are still the best of a bad bunch for North Korea

North Korea may bash South Korea's ruling party from time to time, but they're still better than the alternatives

James FretwellJames FretwellMay 6, 2021
Analysis

The US policy review is finished, but it’s same old, same old to North Korea

The Biden administration says it will pursue diplomacy and deterrence, but all North Korea sees is more hostile policy

James FretwellJames FretwellMay 2, 2021
Analysis

With only a year left, Moon pitches American public on his hope for peace

South Korea’s president tries to sway US citizens and entice Biden to pick up from where his predecessor dropped out

James FretwellJames FretwellApril 22, 2021
Analysis

North Korea wants Biden’s attention. The best way to get it: ballistic missiles.

Kim Jong Un fired two short-range ballistic missiles to get on the U.S.’ agenda before a key policy review is finished

James FretwellJames FretwellMarch 25, 2021
Analysis

Kim and Moon are the biggest losers of Blinken’s Asia visit

The Biden administration is not offering Pyongyang the flexibility that both North and South Korea likely hoped for

James FretwellJames FretwellMarch 19, 2021