Content Author | NK PRO
October 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.

Analysis

Why North Korea could send US soldier Travis King to Russia or China

King reportedly sought refuge in DPRK or third country, and experts say regime may view him as too much trouble to keep

James FretwellJames FretwellSeptember 22, 2023
Analysis

Why China isn’t too worried about Kim Jong Un’s trip to cozy up to Russia

Experts say Beijing welcomes cooperation that increases North Korean stability, but also doesn’t want to provoke US

James FretwellJames FretwellSeptember 22, 2023
Analysis

Bending the rules: How Russia could justify helping North Korea’s space program

Moscow may try to reinterpret UN sanctions to make good on offer of aid, though experts say their cooperation has limits

James FretwellJames FretwellSeptember 14, 2023
Analysis

When Putin met the Kims: 20 years of armored trains and opulence

A look at leaders’ summits as reports swirl of upcoming meeting between Russian president and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

James FretwellJames FretwellSeptember 7, 2023
News

Bill Richardson, governor who helped free Americans from North Korea, dies at 75

‘Undersecretary for thugs’ traveled to DPRK and other authoritarian countries to advocate for detained citizens

Chad O'CarrollChad O'Carroll | James FretwellSeptember 4, 2023
Analysis

If Travis King hoped to escape racism in North Korea, he went to the wrong place

DPRK opportunistically criticizes American racism but insists on ethnic purity to point of carrying out forced abortions

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 18, 2023
Analysis

North Korea breaks its silence on Travis King, but leaves his fate up in the air

DPRK uses American soldier’s case to take swipe at US, while suggesting it may wash its hands of ‘intruder’ in the end

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 16, 2023
Features

Overseas North Koreans face lengthy reeducation when borders open, defectors say

Pyongyang will be extremely suspicious of those who have lived abroad for years during pandemic, escapees tell NK News

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 15, 2023
Analysis

Long before Travis King, Panmunjom tours had a history of death and defections

Both North Korea and UN Command use tours to promote their version of history, but sometimes things don’t go to plan

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 10, 2023
Analysis

What recent delegation visits reveal about North Korea’s evolving COVID playbook

DPRK appears willing to bend rules for its friends, while still citing virus fears to keep out those deemed troublesome

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 4, 2023
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