North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Ri Il Hwan, where you at?

Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Secretary Ri Il Hwan (Ri Il-hwan) has not appeared at public events or state media in about four weeks.  This is not necessarily a lengthy absence for a North Korean […]

Feb, 12

DID Cracks Down on Cadres

The 5 February edition of Rodong Sinmun has two editorials encouraging upright behavior and decrying corruption and abuse of power among North Korean officials and cadres.  The 30th meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea […]

Feb, 10

State media clarifies Ri Son Gwon Status

DPRK state media has identified Ri Son Gwon (Ri So’n-kwon) as a Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Central Committee Director.  During a 9 January banquet hosted for the student performing arts troupe representing Ch’ongryo’n (Chosen […]

Jan, 10

Ri Son Gwon Comes Out for Ch’ongryo’n Photo-op

Kim Jong Un (KJU; Kim Cho’ng-u’n) came out to the Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Central Committee Office Building complex on 2 January for three commemorative photo-ops, the last of which was with student performers […]

Jan, 06

Plenary Personnel

North Korea made a series of personnel changes during the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) 11th plenary session, held December 23-December 27.  Although some analyses make far too much of the correlation between personnel and […]

Jan, 04

Kim Yo Jong’s Kids are Alright

The North Korean leadership gathered at Kim Il Sung Stadium in central Pyongyang for its fabulous New Year’s Eve concert.  Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-un) presided over the event with his Respected Daughter, Kim Ju […]

Jan, 01

Kim Yo Jong Attends MLRS Shell Test

Kim Yo Jong (Kim Yo’-cho’ng) attended a munitions test for a 240 mm MLRS system on 8 October (Tuesday).  Also in attendance was Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Munitions Industry Department [MID] Senior Deputy Director […]

Oct, 08

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