North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

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 […]

Jun, 05

Capital Defense Command

During the February 2026 parade marking the end of the 9th Party Congress and at a light infantry/tank/UAV exercise on March, DPRK state media referred to a Capital Defense Corps [CDC].  This is most likely […]

Mar, 31

9th Party Congress Delegates Arrive in PY

Feb, 16

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

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

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