Leadership
Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures
North Korea’s former inter-Korean negotiator resurfaces as minor party chief
Ri Son Gwon’s apparent appointment as head of Social Democratic Party follows Pyongyang’s shift away from unification
March 16, 2026
Kim Jong Un votes at a coal mine in election for rubber-stamp parliament
North Korean leader’s choice of where to vote sends message about support for industry as he promotes five-year plan
March 16, 2026
DPRK says it fired 12 nuclear-capable rockets, figure at odds with ROK analysis
Kim Jong Un, alongside his young daughter, oversaw the drills amid large-scale U.S.-ROK military exercise
March 15, 2026
How small changes in North Korea’s upcoming election could signal bigger moves
Choreographed parliamentary poll offers voters no real choice but can still reveal regime’s shifting priorities
March 13, 2026
What the Iran war reveals about the dangers facing Kim Jong Un
North Korean military planners will be taking notes on regime survival as US strikes devastate Iran’s air, naval assets
March 13, 2026
North Korea hypes upcoming election as the ‘most democratic’ in the world
A recap of everything in state media this week, from US-ROK drills and Iran’s new leader to compulsory voting
March 13, 2026
Kim Jong Un inspects new pistols in first post-congress weapons factory visit
Accompanied by daughter, Kim tested ‘excellent’ handguns and called for expanding production under new five-year plan
March 12, 2026
How a USFK asset move to the Middle East could impact North Korea deterrence
Relocation amid Iran conflict could open up gaps, but aligns with overall ‘strategic flexibility’ push, experts say
March 11, 2026
North Korea signals support for Iran’s new leader, while slamming US and Israel
Pyongyang’s message showcases solidarity with Iran’s new government, while continuing to sidestep former leader’s death
March 11, 2026
A canceled Pyongyang marathon, a renamed community and a harsh reality in China
This week’s roundup with Shreyas Reddy, followed by in-depth conversation with NKDB’s Hanna Song on forced repatriation
March 11, 2026
