DPRK Intelligence Community
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 […]
KPA SOF Restructuring
The Korean People’s Army (KPA) is restructuring its special operations forces (SOF) and adjusted some training oversight to the KPA General Staff Department (GSD) Operations Bureau. On or around 28 March (Saturday), Kim Jong […]
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. […]
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 […]
Changes to KPA Corps Commanders (corrected and revised 3 November 2025)
revised and corrected to reflect no change in XI Corps Command (SOF) and deleted redundant photo to show KPA Strategic Force commander Kim Jong Gil The 10 October 2025 military parade marking the 80th anniversary […]
Bodyguard Personnel Changes
The commanders of the Central Committee Guard Department, Guard Department and Guard Command have changed during the last year. The changes were publicized during the 10 October 2025 military parade commemorating the foundation of the […]
