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Leadership

Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures

Pro-North Korea website details how the country achieved “bumper crop” in 2019
NK PRO

Pro-North Korea website details how the country achieved “bumper crop” in 2019

Article in Tokyo-based Choson Sinbo seeks to bolster claims by Kim Jong Un at December party plenum

Pro-North Korea website details how the country achieved “bumper crop” in 2019
Rachel Minyoung Lee
Rachel Minyoung Lee January 21, 2020
With a “crude” new foreign minister, North Korea strengthens its hard-line turn

With a “crude” new foreign minister, North Korea strengthens its hard-line turn

Ri Son Gwon, with his reputation for bluster, may be the ideal DPRK diplomat if tensions rise in the coming year

With a “crude” new foreign minister, North Korea strengthens its hard-line turn
Oliver Hotham
Oliver Hotham January 21, 2020
Ri Son Gwon appointed North Korean foreign minister, diplomatic note confirms

Ri Son Gwon appointed North Korean foreign minister, diplomatic note confirms

Long-time military hardliner to now serve as DPRK's top diplomat, foreign embassies in Pyongyang told

Ri Son Gwon appointed North Korean foreign minister, diplomatic note confirms
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll January 20, 2020
North Korea reshuffles its foreign policy top brass: potential implications
NK PRO

North Korea reshuffles its foreign policy top brass: potential implications

Appointment of a new foreign minister is not surprising, but Ri Son Gwon, if his appointment is confirmed, is

North Korea reshuffles its foreign policy top brass: potential implications
Rachel Minyoung Lee
Rachel Minyoung Lee January 20, 2020
North Korean leader’s Toyota luxury bus, multiple Lexus SUVs appear in 2019 film
NK PRO

North Korean leader’s Toyota luxury bus, multiple Lexus SUVs appear in 2019 film

Customized VIP bus was used in August missile tests, while SUVs dominated domestic travel

North Korean leader’s Toyota luxury bus, multiple Lexus SUVs appear in 2019 film
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 20, 2020
Ri Su Yong, long-time stalwart of North Korean diplomacy, likely replaced

Ri Su Yong, long-time stalwart of North Korean diplomacy, likely replaced

Former DPRK ambassador to Russia may have taken Ri's place on ruling party central committee, analyst says

Ri Su Yong, long-time stalwart of North Korean diplomacy, likely replaced
Oliver Hotham
Oliver Hotham January 20, 2020
Ri Yong Ho replaced as North Korean foreign minister, sources say

Ri Yong Ho replaced as North Korean foreign minister, sources say

Ri Son Gwon will be replacement, sources say, a shift which could see major changes to foreign policy posture

Ri Yong Ho replaced as North Korean foreign minister, sources say
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll January 18, 2020
New North Korean film stresses military path after standing up to U.S. in 2019

New North Korean film stresses military path after standing up to U.S. in 2019

2.5 hr propaganda film recounts Kim’s 2019 summits, economic and military visits, and DPRK’s self-reliant “new path”

New North Korean film stresses military path after standing up to U.S. in 2019
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 15, 2020
Why birthday card diplomacy can’t revive failing U.S.-North Korea talks

Why birthday card diplomacy can’t revive failing U.S.-North Korea talks

Good relations between Kim and Trump can't conceal how broken the diplomatic process has become

Why birthday card diplomacy can’t revive failing U.S.-North Korea talks
Dan DePetris
Dan DePetris January 15, 2020
In full: Kim Jong Un’s most prominent officials in 2019
NK PRO

In full: Kim Jong Un’s most prominent officials in 2019

NK Pro charts the DPRK officials most frequently by Kim Jong Un's side in 2019

In full: Kim Jong Un’s most prominent officials in 2019
Jeongmin Kim
Jeongmin Kim January 14, 2020