North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

The Guidance Train Over the River and Through the Woods

(n.b. Kim Jong-il’s last known appearance was around 9 November when he attended a concert given by a music troupe of the Ministry of Public Security) Kim Jong-il laid low following the naval skirmish on […]

Nov, 27

Kim Jong-il Meets Gen. Liang Guanglie

Kim Jong-il met with Chinese Defense Minister, General Liang Guanglie, in Pyongyang on Wednesday.  General-Secretary Kim and Gen. Liang had “a cordial and friendly talk” and General-Secretary Kim sent a hi and howdy to PRC […]

Nov, 26

Kim Wan-su Demoted, but Not Gone

Kim Wan-su was not entirely removed from DPRK public life and has retained his Vice Chair of the Supreme People’s Assembly.  He greeted Sergei Mironov, chairman of the upper house of Russia’s Parliament (the Federation […]

Nov, 25

Liang Guanglie Visit

Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie held a meeting with NDC Vice Chair and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces VMAR Kim Yong-chun Tuesday.  According to Xinhua, Gen. Liang remarked that “The relationship between the […]

Nov, 25
Six Party Talkin' Blues

Six Party Talkin' Blues

Jack Pritchard, Scott Snyder and Nicole Finnemann have completed their four (4) day pre-Turkey Day sojourn to Pyongyang.  The US-based trio found no change in the North Korean position with regard to the Six-Party Talks […]

Nov, 24
Silence Broken

Silence Broken

The North Korean has broken its silence on two (2) recent events.  In a rather timely edition from the KCNA’s Japan-based website–which is to say there’s actually a real-time KCNA bulletin–the KCNA writes of the […]

Nov, 24
The Bozz' 72 Hour Pyongyang Odyssey

The Bozz' 72 Hour Pyongyang Odyssey

UPDATE US Envoy Stephen Bosworth is reported to be spending three (3) days in Pyongyang, as opposed to the thirty-six (36) hours initially reported. ORIGINAL A trio of US-based Korean experts arrived Saturday in Pyongyang […]

Nov, 23
Kim Ok out of Kim Jong-il Secretariat, Out of his Home

Kim Ok out of Kim Jong-il Secretariat, Out of his Home

JoongAng Daily has a highly fascinating report about Kim Ok.  Ms. Kim was featured in my posting about the ladies around General-Secretary Kim.  According to JAD‘s sources in ROK intelligence, Ms. Kim is no longer […]

Nov, 23
Chinese Defense Minister in Pyongyang and More Guidance Outings

Chinese Defense Minister in Pyongyang and More Guidance Outings

Kim Jong-il has continued his spate of weekend inspection and concert going activities, according to KCNA.  This weekend he conducted an inspection of the  Ministry of Public Security headquarters.  In his last batch of appearances,  […]

Nov, 22
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