North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Ain’t No Congress Like a Party Congress

State media reported on January 24, 2026 that the first two phases of electing delegates to the 9th Party Congress took place during January.   The first phase involved meetings of basic party organizations like […]

Jan, 24

Fork(lift) Around and Find Out

  Kim Jong Un (KJU; Kim Cho’ng-u’n), his family and senior party officials, visited the construction of the Memorial Museum of Overseas Military Operations on  5 January (Monday).  In something we might expect from the […]

Jan, 08

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.   […]

Jan, 04

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 […]

Jan, 02

KJU Visits Ku’msusan with his family

Kim Jong Un (KJU; Kim Cho’ng-u’n), joined by his wife Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu) and daughter Kim Ju Ae (Kim Chu-a’e), visited Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun (KPS) on 1 January 2026 (Thursday) to […]

Jan, 01

3 Y3ars of the Respected Daughter

It has been just over three years since Kim Ju Ae, daughter of supreme leader Kim Jong Un (KJU), emerged into North Korean public life.   Her first public appearance at a ballistic missile test […]

Dec, 20

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 […]

Nov, 13

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