North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Serial Numbers and Diplorep Briefings In Seoul

Chosun Ilbo reports that torpedo propellers and a serial number with a North Korean font were discovered in the Cheonan wreckage.  Northeast Asia Matters translated the CI‘s front page story from which I excerpted below: […]

May, 19

SPA to Meet Again

Another session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly will be held in early June.  Reuters reports (thank you, Joe): North Korea has called for a rare second session of its parliament on June 7, its […]

May, 18
NK Denied Role in Cheonan to China

NK Denied Role in Cheonan to China

Yonhap reports that the DPRK denied any role in the Cheonan.  Kim Jong Il did not seem to make the denial himself, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xinsen told ROK legislators that “other channels conveyed Pyongyang’s stance.” […]

May, 17
ROK Military Will Identify NK as Cheonan Assailant

ROK Military Will Identify NK as Cheonan Assailant

Kim So-hyun reports in Korea Herald that the South Korean military will issue a statement this Thursday that identifies the DPRK as responsible for the March sinking of the Cheonan. The South Korean military is […]

May, 16

NK Patrol Boats Cross NLL

Yonhap reports that two North Korean patrol boats crossed the Northern Limit Line Saturday, in two separate incidents. Two North Korean patrol boats crossed into South Korean waters in separate incidences on Saturday night but […]

May, 16
Did KJI Make Hasty Retreat from Beijing?

Did KJI Make Hasty Retreat from Beijing?

JoongAng citing an anonymous source reports that Kim Jong Il departed Beijing ahead of schedule after being informed China would only assist the DPRK in the boundaries of UN sanctions.  Earlier reports said KJI left […]

May, 16

May Magazines (or, Time Out Pyongyang)

The country’s overseas magazines have been released.  Korea honors the various activities held to commemorate KIS’ birthday and KJI’s anniversary as Chairman of the National Defense Commission.  Included are articles on KJI’s observation of a […]

May, 16

VMAR Kim Il Chol Retires

NDC Member, KWP CMC and CC member, and Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces, Vice Marshal Kim Il Chol, is retiring.  Yonhap’s Sam Kim reports on KCNA’s announcement, citing a KCNA […]

May, 14

What has KJI done to his house? (One of them any way. . .)

Curtis Melvin notes that Google Earth has updated some of its Pyongyang imagery.   Looking around the Central Party complex, it seems Kim Jong Il is having one of the two residences near his main office […]

May, 13
June 2026
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