Leadership
Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures
North Korean leader’s ‘butler’ Kim Chang Son dies at 81
Kim Jong Un’s former chief secretary played a prominent role in arranging summits with U.S. and South Korea in 2018-19
December 26, 2025
YouTubers, K-pop defectors and Trump: The top North Korea stories of 2025
From a radioactive Russian delivery to influencers in Pyongyang, NK News revisits our best reporting from this year
December 26, 2025
Kim Jong Un calls for increasing missile production, building more arms plants
North Korean leader visits short-range missile and rocket factories in Hamhung to iron out Party Congress plans
December 26, 2025
Year-end special: A look back at the most compelling North Korea stories of 2025
NK News journalists share the stories that meant the most to them and offer insights into how they reported on the DPRK
December 25, 2025
High-level North Korean defector reports top official was executed by burning
New memoir by ex-diplomat Ryu Hyun-woo also reveals existence of secret organization managing Kim Jong Un’s slush fund
December 25, 2025
Kim Jong Un unveils ‘nuclear-powered’ submarine, criticizes US-ROK cooperation
North Korea shows first full images of '8,700-ton' missile submarine, Kim also oversees anti-aircraft missile test
December 25, 2025
Lee orders crackdown on Chinese fishing boats in ROK waters, including near NLL
South Korean president’s directive follows reports that Chinese ships fled to North Korean waters to evade patrols
December 24, 2025
Kim Jong Un advertises new luxury hotels near China for North Korean elites
State media promotes Samjiyon primarily for domestic tourism despite past focus on attracting foreign visitors
December 23, 2025
Kim Jong Un cuts ribbon on newly built factories, joined by wife and daughter
North Korean praises progress in east coast city of Sinpho, attending third opening in a week for rural development push
December 22, 2025
Lee Jae Myung orders tighter government coordination on North Korea policy
Creation of new security ministers’ meeting follows signs of discord between unification and foreign ministries
December 22, 2025
