social control
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 […]
Where dog soldiers are reflected
Several public events marked the 8 February anniversary of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) foundation, including Kim Jong Un (KJU; Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visiting the defense ministry’s compound. Anniversary events will occasionally bring out retired senior […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Kim Kyong Ok’s 85th
DPRK state media and the Party History Institute have released Volume 33 of a documentary film series on deceased core elite. This series compiles short biographies on the careers of recently deceased North Korean officials. […]
