Leadership
Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures
Kim Jong Un kicks off end-of-year plenum to discuss upcoming Party Congress
Long absent top official reappears at multi-day North Korean meeting set to review economic and ideological issues
December 10, 2025
Late Russian ambassador to DPRK remembered as savvy diplomat, harbinger of war
Amb. Alexander Matsegora’s death on Saturday brought mixed reactions from the foreign policy community
December 9, 2025
US defense funding bill aims to stop unilateral troop reduction in South Korea
Roughly 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea are tasked with defending Seoul and deterring North Korea
December 9, 2025
Death of Russian ambassador to DPRK, forgotten detainees and Halifax Forum
NK News’ Chad O’Carroll discusses the death of Amb. Matsegora, question to Lee Jae-myung and trip to security forum
December 9, 2025
Suspending US-ROK drills not on table to restart North Korea talks: Wi Sung-lac
Top security official dismisses possibility after President Lee previously floated scaling back or postponing exercises
December 8, 2025
North Korea building three lavish mansions at site for visiting foreign leaders
Similar rapid construction took place at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse in 2019 in preparation for Xi Jinping’s visit
December 8, 2025
How a question about forgotten prisoners in North Korea sparked a firestorm
Politicians have weaponized Lee Jae Myung’s remarks on ROK detainees, but the real issue is what will bring them home
December 5, 2025
Unification minister accuses UNC of blocking South Korean entry to the DMZ
Chung Dong-young backs bill giving him authority to approve access as Seoul pushes for cooperation with North Korea
December 5, 2025
Seoul boosts spending on inter-Korean cooperation, but guts human rights budget
Unification ministry focuses heavily on improving ties with North Korea, cutting spending on human rights by 97%
December 3, 2025
US, ROK officials agree to coordinate closely to restart talks with North Korea
Meeting in Washington comes as Trump prepares to visit China next year, after failing to meet Kim Jong Un in October
December 3, 2025
