March 29, 2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Weiser

Martin Weiser

Martin Weiser received his MA from Korea University in 2014 with a thesis explaining North Korea’s changing human rights policy. He has continued researching North Korea’s political history as an independent researcher since then. His writings have appeared on SinoNK and in 2018 an article on the country’s legal system appeared in the European Journal of Korean Studies.

Analysis

Slump in life insurance sector points to unreported COVID deaths in North Korea

Financial data from DPRK’s largest insurer reveals almost 20% decline in premium income in life insurance division

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserFebruary 12, 2024
Analysis

North Korean insurance companies release data pointing to growth in economy

Three of DPRK’s four smaller insurers showed significant growth, highlighting changes to regime’s taxation approach

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserJanuary 29, 2024
Analysis

How evolving state media coverage of Kim Jong Un’s daughter sets her up to rule

North Korean propaganda appears aimed at linking girl to space program, changing approach based on satellite launches

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserJanuary 9, 2024
Analysis

Why North Korea purged references to unification from propaganda websites

Change may be sign DPRK has nullified inter-Korean deals after Kim Jong Un called unification ‘impossible’

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserJanuary 4, 2024
Analysis

Kim Jong Un looks to shakeup state policy with sweeping reshuffle of officials

Promotion of over 40 people likely to support military line and rejection of unification, as 3 demoted officials return

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserJanuary 3, 2024
Analysis

North Korea hints at secret shakeup of military officials ahead of party plenum

State media coverage of mausoleum visit reveals unannounced promotion, while top military leader mysteriously absent

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserDecember 18, 2023
Analysis

North Korea’s post-reform elections looked a lot like those that came before

State media again reported near 100% turnout but acknowledged votes against chosen candidates for first time in decades

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserNovember 30, 2023
Analysis

North Korea’s election reforms are not the first time voters have had a choice

Single-candidate polls are the norm, but past examples of competitive elections provide precedent for making changes

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserNovember 24, 2023
Analysis

Why North Korea dropped a reference to ‘defending’ Kim Jong Un from constitution

Surprise deletion of phrase introduced in 2019 is sign leader has eliminated perceived military threats to his rule

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserNovember 20, 2023
Analysis

Primaries in Pyongyang? Decoding North Korea’s electoral reforms

New law does little to make elections free, but allowing two candidates marks small step toward greater citizen input

Martin WeiserMartin WeiserOctober 23, 2023
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