North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

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

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 Family Home Makeover in Sinu’iju?

Daily NK reports that the Kim Family compound on the outskirts of Sinu’iju is undergoing a three-month renovation.  The construction work began during July and if DNK’s source is correct, it will probably continue until […]

Aug, 15

Final Day of the Central Committee Plenum

The fourth and final day of the 7th plenary meeting of the 8th Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Central Committee was held at the conference hall of the Central Committee Office Building  on 1 March […]

Mar, 03

Central Committee Plenum Holds Break-out Sessions

The 7th plenum of the 8th Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Central Committee held sideline consultative policy meetings on 28 February (Tuesday). “Sectional study and consultative meetings to frame scientific, realistic and dynamic measures for […]

Mar, 01

Day Two at the CC Plenum

The second day of the 7th plenary meeting of the 8th Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Central Committee took place in central Pyongyang on 27 February (Monday).  Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n; KJU) once again […]

Feb, 28

Gen. O Kuk Ryol (1930-2023)

  Gen. O Kuk Ryol (O Kuk-yo’l), a retired former senior national security official and close adviser and friend of late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il), died of heart failure on the morning […]

Feb, 14

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