North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

KJI Watches KPA Exercises on Day of the Sun

Kim Jong Il observed the military exercises while issuing promotions for 100 KPA general-grade officers.  This was the largest 15 April Promotions List since 1997.  Yonhap reports: In a release carried by the KCNA, Kim […]

Apr, 14
New Study on Office #39

New Study on Office #39

The US Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute’s Letort Papers series (SSI and the Letort series produce fascinating and excellent scholarship) has published a comprehensive study on the activities of Office #39. In Criminal Sovereignty: […]

Apr, 14
ROK National Arrested for Kidnapping and Watching Defectors in China

ROK National Arrested for Kidnapping and Watching Defectors in China

Yonhap reports the arrest of a South Korean drug trafficker who became an operative for the DPRK.  The 55-year-old Mr. Kim was recruited in Shandong Province in 1999 by a female NK agent.  He traveled […]

Apr, 13
ROK to Host 2nd Nuclear Security Summit in 2012, While it Asks US to Defer NK Contact

ROK to Host 2nd Nuclear Security Summit in 2012, While it Asks US to Defer NK Contact

President Barack Obama announced that the ROK will host the second Nuclear Security Summit in 2012 saying it “reflects South Korea’s leadership regionally, and globally.” Lee Myung-bak seems to have had two good days in […]

Apr, 13

You're Very Well Read, It's Well Known

The DPRK’s external propaganda arm has published the monthly mags.  Korea has unsigned articles on the reopening of the 8 February Vinalon Complex and the rally to celebrate the reopening.   2 April is the 30th […]

Apr, 13
New MOFA Vice Minister

New MOFA Vice Minister

Kim Song Gi, recently a diplo at the DPRK’s Beijing Embassy, is MOFA’s new vice minister.  He was identified in his new position when he appeared at a welcoming event for the new Chinese Ambassador, […]

Apr, 11

Kim Jong Il Absent from 12th SPA 2nd Session (revised)

Kim Jong Il did not appear at the 2nd session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly. The 2nd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall […]

Apr, 09

Kim Jong Il Absent from 12th SPA 2nd Session (revised)

Kim Jong Il did not appear at the 2nd session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly. The 2nd Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall […]

Apr, 09

Kim Kyong Hui Biography

A bit later than announced, but this is one version of biographical and career data I prepared on Kim Jong Il’s younger sister, Kim Kyong Hui.  Ms. Kim is a charter member of KJI’s inner […]

Apr, 07
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