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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

Kim-Moon letters mean division in South Korea, not reconciliation with the North

Kim Jong Un’s warm words do not match his aggressive actions, but will add an air of confusion about his true intentions

James FretwellJames FretwellApril 22, 2022
What If?

What if the US recognized North Korea as a nuclear power?

The move would open a door for better US-DPRK relations but set a damning precedent for global nonproliferation

James FretwellJames FretwellMarch 29, 2022
Analysis

A future that never was: Madeleine Albright’s glimmer of hope with North Korea

Albright, who died on Wednesday at 84, met Kim Jong Il in 2000 when better bilateral relations seemed possible

James FretwellJames FretwellMarch 24, 2022
Analysis

Yoon’s victory sets up big shift in Seoul’s stance on North Korean human rights

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has a chance to help defectors but faces major challenges to reaching those in the DPRK

James FretwellJames FretwellMarch 16, 2022
Analysis

What Yoon’s win means for security and foreign relations on the Korean Peninsula

US and Japan will welcome Yoon Suk-yeol’s election win, but his tough talk risks tensions with China and North Korea

James FretwellJames FretwellMarch 10, 2022
Analysis

North Korea-Ukraine relations: Why the DPRK stands to support Russia’s invasion

Pyongyang will continue to side with longtime ally Moscow, as long as it continues to undermine sanctions on DPRK

James FretwellJames FretwellFebruary 25, 2022
Analysis

Why Kim Jong Il’s 80th birthday bash went off without much of a bang

North Korea may have refrained from new missile reveals or launches due to Winter Olympics and resource constraints

James FretwellJames FretwellFebruary 17, 2022
Analysis

Moon Jae-in’s last-ditch attempt to salvage his North Korea legacy

In wide-ranging interview, Moon appeals to those at home and abroad to continue his vision for peace on the peninsula

James FretwellJames FretwellFebruary 10, 2022
Analysis

Phoning it in: Expect another year of nothing from Biden on North Korea

Dealing with Kim Jong Un is more difficult than ever, and the White House has shown little urgency on engaging Pyongyang

James FretwellJames FretwellJanuary 20, 2022
Analysis

North Korea risks angering China with missile launches ahead of Winter Olympics

China’s looking for a PR win, and won’t appreciate Kim Jong Un stealing the spotlight in February

James FretwellJames FretwellJanuary 17, 2022
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