North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Gen. O Kuk Ryol (1930-2023)

  Gen. O Kuk Ryol (O Kuk-yo’l), a retired former senior national security official and close adviser and friend of late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il), died of heart failure on the morning […]

Feb, 14

5th Party Cell Conference Opens

The Fifth Conference Party Cell Chairs opened at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on December 21 (Thursday).  Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) presided over the meeting and spoke.  Among those joining him on the platform were […]

Dec, 23

Kim Jong Un Visits Pyongyang Defense Command HQ

KJU’s last observed appearance was his attendance at the Merited State Choir’s 70th anniversary concert on February 22 DPRK state media reported on March 1 (Wednesday) that Kim Jong Un visited and inspected the headquarters […]

Mar, 01

Has the State Security Boss Been Dismissed?

ROK media, citing a sources “familiar with North Korean affairs,” alleges that General Kim Won Hong (Kim Wo’n-hong) was “dismissed” from his position, possibly during December 2016.  According to Yonhap, “Kim might have been dismissed for […]

Feb, 03

Kim Yo Jong Married?

On January 2, 2015, Yonhap reported that WPK Propaganda and Agitation Deputy Director Kim Yo Jong (Kim Yo-cho’ng), younger sister of Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), married a son of WPK Secretary and close KJU aide Choe […]

Jan, 03

Kim Jong Un Resurfaces

When a train crossed the DPRK-PRC border on 26 May, the occupant was said to be Kim Cho’ng-u’n.  Pyongyang watchers widely anticipated the hereditary successor’s sojourn to the PRC in 2011, similar to Kim Cho’ng-il’s […]

May, 30

Kim Jong Il’s Return

Kim Cho’ng-il has returned to the DPRK via Dandong.  His third trip to the PRC in less than year remains open to interpretation.  Two events scheduled on either end of the DPRK-PRC border intended to […]

May, 28

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