North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

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

Quick and Dirty Count of KJI Appearances in January 2010

In the first month of 2010, Kim Jong-il was reported by KCNA as having made twenty-five (25) public appearances.  This total is based on the number of individual locations Kim Jong-il visited to conduct an […]

Feb, 01
Inspector O Goes to Macau

Inspector O Goes to Macau

You got something to say, speak now or forever hold your peace If it’s information you want, you can get it from the police James Church gave an interview with the Macau Closer, which includes […]

Jan, 30

KJI Behind Closed Doors

EPILOGUE It was pointed out to me, and I agree, that health rumors and medical treatments about North Korean elites are difficult to verify, and connected to the wrong individuals. ORIGINAL Sunny Lee, a journalist […]

Jan, 29
US-DPRK Exchange of Musicians and Diplomats

US-DPRK Exchange of Musicians and Diplomats

Yomiuri Shimbun reports that the US State Department, according to its sources, may approve entry visas for members of the DPRK’s State Symphony Orchestra to give a concert, and a visit by senior MOFA officials […]

Jan, 28
Searching for a Soldier's Grave

Searching for a Soldier's Grave

UPDATE: KBS reports that the US State Department has rejected the DPRK proposal on recovery of US service members killed during the Korean War. ORIGINAL: Recovery of the remains of US service members (soldiers) killed […]

Jan, 28
Six Party Squawk

Six Party Squawk

Yomiuri Shimbun reports that the Party of Five has arrived at a general consensus about proposals aimed at the North Koreans’ return trip to the Six Party Talks: According to sources, the United States is […]

Jan, 27
Watching the Defectors

Watching the Defectors

Citing ROK and US intelligence sources, Chosun Ilbo reports that in May 2008 Kim Jong-il toughened penalties for North Korean citizens caught attempting to migrate to China.   CI reports that DPRK security officials were […]

Jan, 27
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