DPRK External Relations
Internal Security and IC Changes
Two major organizational changes to North Korea’s (DPRK) intelligence community and internal security agencies have either begun or in an early phase. The Ministry of State Security has been renamed the National Intelligence Agency […]
Party Congress Drinks Last of the Summer Wine
We are close to the end of the 9th Party Congress. With the election of the 9th Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee we have the first personnel changes effected by the congress. […]
Is KJU Shakin’ His Caracas?
The 3 January 2026 capture and transfer to the United States (US) of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is something which North Korea’s strategic and decisionmaking culture will be analyzing, discussing and responding to. […]
The Kids Stay in the Picture
Despite prior hiccups and commotion about the families of North Korean elites attending public events, the spouses, children and grandchildren of top DPRK officials came out to the New Year’s performance on 31 December. In […]
Has Kim Yong Chol Retired? (updated 19 November)
update Kim Yong Chol attended the graveside service held as part of Kim Yong Nam’s state funeral. At the event, he stood with WPK Central Committee department directors and deputy directors, none of whom have […]
Kim Yong Nam Funeral Committee
DPRK state media announced the state funeral committee for former Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam) on 4 November (Tuesday). Chairman Kim Jong Un Members Pak Thae Song Choe […]
PAD-ing Out a Purge?
According to Daily NK, the documentary video about Kim Jong Un’s (KJU; Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visit to China was deemed a dud and the requisite personnel discipline has been implemented: Officials who edited documentary footage of Kim’s […]
