North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Bodyguard Chief Promoted

Bodyguard Chief Promoted

Kim Jong Il promoted the chief of the Guard Command, in honor of the 78th anniversary of the KPA.  KCNA reports that KJI “issued order 0046” which promoted Yun Jong Rin to General. The Supreme […]

Apr, 24
Is Hwang Plot Related to Succession?

Is Hwang Plot Related to Succession?

Two reports in the South Korean press suggest the recently foiled plot to assassinate high-level NK defector Hwang Jang Yop is related to the hereditary succession of Kim Jong Un.  Dong-a Ilbo interviewed what it […]

Apr, 23
Kim Yong Nam to Visit Iran in Summer '10

Kim Yong Nam to Visit Iran in Summer '10

Iran’s state news agency has announced that SPA President Kim Yong Nam will visit Iran in June or July this summer. “This high-ranking official is expected to visit in two or three months,” Iranian foreign […]

Apr, 22
Necessary Nukes?

Necessary Nukes?

The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that it will only manufacture “neccessary” nuclear weapons in exchange for recognition as a nuclear power. North Korea pledged Wednesday to limit its production of […]

Apr, 21

NK Operatives Arrested in ROK for HJY Assassination Plot

Two men are being detained in Seoul Detention Center on charges of plotting to kill former KWP Secretary of Ideology, Hwang Jang Yop.  HJY is the highest ranking DPRK official defect from the country. According […]

Apr, 21
New NK Diplorep Arrives in Beijing

New NK Diplorep Arrives in Beijing

Sam Kim reports in for Yonhap on the arrival of Choe Pyong-gwan, the DPRK’s new ambassador to China.  Mr. Choe is a former director of consular affairs at MOFA and a former ambassador to Laos.  […]

Apr, 20

KJI Praises Jong Un in Propaganda Documents (revised 21 April)

In documents reportedly distributed to KWP cadres in December 2009, Kim Jong Il is quoted as praising Kim Jong Un, his youngest son and hereditary successor, for looking after his health and welfare.  Daily NK‘s […]

Apr, 19

KJI Attends Concerts with Internal Security Chiefs

Kim Jong Il sealed the recent changes to the country’s two principal internal security agencies by attending two (2) different concerts with the agencies’ respective managers.  First, Ryo’ngdoja took in a performance of the Song […]

Apr, 18

NK Denies Involvement in Sinking Cheonan (revised 18 April)

Military Commentator Denies Involvement in Ship Sinking  (KCNA17 April  2010) The DPRK has broken its three-week silence and officially denied sinking the ROK naval corvette.  Speculation and suspicion has swarmed the DPRK since the Cheonan […]

Apr, 17
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