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May 22, 2025May 22, 2025

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Fretwell

James Fretwell

James Fretwell is a PhD student focusing on Korean and Chinese history at the University of Melbourne. 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

Japan’s counterstrike plans raise need to coordinate with Seoul on North Korea

Some South Koreans fear Tokyo could carry out strikes against DPRK without consulting Seoul

James FretwellJames FretwellDecember 21, 2022
Analysis

The Korean War armistice sets a foreboding precedent for Ukraine

Some foresee Russia’s invasion ending with an agreement like the one that solidified the division of the peninsula

James FretwellJames FretwellDecember 19, 2022
Analysis

How Seoul could drag Washington into a war with North Korea

The US has often had to talk the South out of retaliating over the decades, a risk that has returned as tensions grow

James FretwellJames FretwellDecember 12, 2022
Analysis

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

James FretwellJames FretwellNovember 16, 2022
Analysis

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

James FretwellJames FretwellNovember 15, 2022
Features

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

James FretwellJames FretwellNovember 1, 2022
Analysis

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

James FretwellJames FretwellOctober 24, 2022
Analysis

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

James FretwellJames FretwellOctober 19, 2022
Analysis

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

James FretwellJames FretwellOctober 14, 2022
News

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

Ethan JewellEthan Jewell | James FretwellOctober 7, 2022
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