North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Kim Jong Il Continues

Kim Cho’ng-il’s trip to the PRC continued into its second day in Changchun.  In a brief six-hour trip through the city KCI visited a car factory, according to Yonhap News Agency.  His train departed during […]

May, 22

Kim Jong Il Meets with SVR Chief

Kim Cho’ng-il met with Mikhail Fradkov, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, according to an 18 May [Thursday] report in DPRK media.  Fradkov served as Prime Minister of the Russian Federation from 2004 to 2007.  […]

May, 18

Jong Un Trial Balloon to Beijing (Or a stalking horse to Jilin?)

2010 was the year Pyongyang watchers  waited for Kim Cho’ng-il to travel to China.  KCI managed to live up to the hype, as news photographers staked out his private train.  When the media veil under […]

May, 08

Added Security Measures for the Leadership?

After Kim Il-song died in 1994, Kim Chong-il initiated a shake-up in the DPRK’s protective service for the leadership, the Guard Command.  He dismissed dozens of Guard Command officers, expanded his own personal security escort […]

Jan, 20

DPRK Contends with Foot-and-Mouth

The DPRK is dealing with its first reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease since 2007.  The DPRK banned ROK pork and beef shipments into Kaesong Industrial Complex in late December, as well as ROK poultry in […]

Jan, 18

The Youthful General’s Quiet Birthday

8 January (Saturday) was believed to be the official birthday of hereditary successor Kim Chong-un [Kim Jong Un].  Last year editorials “toast[ed] the endlessly bright future of Chosun” and workers left their offices to participate […]

Jan, 10

NDC/CMC Banquet

KCNA reported on 24 December 2010 that Kim Chong-il attended a banquet co-hosted by the National Defense Commission and Central Military Commission “on the occasion of the 19thanniversary” of his appointment as KPA Supreme Commander.  […]

Jan, 04

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