North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Premier's Mea Culpa and Reappearances

According to several reports, DPRK Premier Kim Yong-il took one for the team on the currency redenomination.  Premier Kim apologized “about the currency reform as we pushed ahead with it without sufficient preparation and it […]

Feb, 11
Mr. Jang and Ms. Kim Go Global

Mr. Jang and Ms. Kim Go Global

North Korea’s recent interactions with Russia and China did not interrupt the rising profile of Jang Song-thaek and Kim Kyong-hui.  The performance of Evgeni Onegin with Russia’s Ambassador to the DPRK was the first event […]

Feb, 11

KJI Receives the Chinese

Kim Jong-il received Wang Jiarui in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province.   The KCNA report was pretty much the same one issued last year. Xinhua reports, “The Chinese president also invited Kim to visit China, once again.” […]

Feb, 09
Interactive NK Week

Interactive NK Week

Update 1.) Kim Jong-il met with CCP International Director Wang Jiarui. 2.) The inter-Korean meeting ended without an agreement and a joint statement from North Korea’s Ministry of Public Security and State Security Departments: “We […]

Feb, 07

Another Auspicious February Birthday

Kim Jong-il will blow out his birthday candles on 16 February, a year closer to 70.  There are also conflicting reports as to whether Kim Jong-un’s birthday was celebrated on 8 January.  We are certain […]

Feb, 06

Possible New Third Floor Director

Here may a confirmable personnel change within the Central Party.  Korea Times reports that Kim Tong-un, chief executive of Office #39 (also known as the Third Floor), was replaced by by Jon Il-chun.  Kim Tong-un, […]

Feb, 04
Pak Man's Fate

Pak Man's Fate

Pak Nam-gi has not appeared in the North Korean media since a rally on 9 January.   But there remains no definitive confirmation that he was dismissed from his position.  A report about Mr. Pak’s vagrancy […]

Feb, 04
The Third Brother Who Put Out the Fire

The Third Brother Who Put Out the Fire

In February 2009, Pyongyang  KCTV broadcast a children’s show The Good Heart of the Third Child.  In the 2 February (2010) bulletin from the Korean Central News Agency announced that the 26 April Children’s Film […]

Feb, 03
Were DPRK Diplos Informed of KJU Succession?

Were DPRK Diplos Informed of KJU Succession?

JoongAng Daily citing Free North Korea Radio reports that a message to the DPRK’s overseas embassies and foreign missions communicated the designation of Kim Jong-un [Eun] as Kim Jong-il’s hereditary successor.  Kim Sung-min of FNKR […]

Feb, 02
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