Leadership
Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures
Kim Jong Un’s surprise China visit and rising tensions at the DMZ
Jeongmin Kim explains Pyongyang’s diplomacy with Beijing, and the growing risk of clashes on the inter-Korean border
October 27, 2026
No summit, new bridge: What to make of Kim Jong Un’s unusual visit to Dandong
North Korean leader broke precedent by not meeting Xi, suggesting he increasingly needs China to achieve his goals
October 26, 2026
North Korean foreign minister totes $3.5K luxury handbag during China trip
Choe Son Hui and other top officials often carry expensive goods despite regime warnings against capitalist consumption
October 26, 2026
Kim Jong Un says North Korea ‘inspired’ by China’s success in border city visit
Pyongyang and Beijing promote joint stance against ‘U.S. aggression’ weeks before Trump visits China
October 25, 2026
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un visits Chinese border city of Dandong: Xinhua
Kim tours anti-U.S. museum, car factory with top Chinese officials as Xi Jinping skips Saturday’s events
October 24, 2026
Kim Jong Un rallies junior commanders to build ‘world’s strongest’ army
Meeting on KPA company leaders focuses on loyalty to Kim and skills gained from war against Ukraine
October 24, 2026
Chinese officials visit North Korea to mark China’s entry into Korean War
76th anniversary comes amid unconfirmed report that DPRK delegation is in China to prepare for visit by Kim Jong Un
October 23, 2026
How North Korea built its founding mythology around an obscure communist group
DPRK claims Kim Il Sung established Down-with-Imperialism Union at age 14, rewriting history to justify Kim family rule
October 23, 2026
North Korea leaves citizens in the dark about tensions at inter-Korean border
A recap of everything in state media, from omitting Kim Yo Jong’s statements to coverage of unrest in France
October 23, 2026
Kim Jong Un erasing prominent symbol of predecessors’ top military rank
Removal of Generalissimo star from former leaders’ shrines aligns with push to bolster Kim’s personality cult
October 22, 2026
